Beans Beans the Magical Fruit

TA DA

2009-07-27T16:35:00.003-09:30

I am now officially a homeowner. Kindof feels like it did when I turned 21. One day I wasnt aloud to drink the next day I was. Moved some boxes over tonight. Will be moving the major stuff tomorrow. Shower sleep tomorrow is going to be a big day. I have the camera ready to go.

Swing your partner round and round

2009-07-24T12:28:00.002-09:30

So into work today with the mindset that no close till monday.
Working away phone rings 11:30. Can you come in and sign the close papers. SURE. Be here in a half hr. Jump in the car race through Friday lunch traffic in construction zone. Pull into title co new location. They moved yesterday remember? Go in find out my payments are 100.00/m more then they were on my estimate. They misfigured the property taxes. Oh well. Sign sign sign sign sign sign sign sign sign sign sign sign sign sign sign signyou get the idea. Ok great we will have the dox down to the courthouse by 4 so it will be final tonight and you should get your keys from your realtor. Call the realtor let her know everything is on track and I will meet her at the house at 4. YEAH. Go home load up my hatchback to near capacity. Go inside and wait til my movers are off work. Get up go to grab keys and purse to leave. Phone rings. Realtor says BANK DIDNT DEPOSIT MONEY!!!!! NO KEYS!!! Appears the seller has spooked and thinks that there is a problem with the loan so i cant even move stuff in even if I needed too. Good thing I called the mattress guys to reschedule. SO call my movers tell them no go oh and sorry such late notice. OK we'll meet up for dinner anyway. Sit and work some because I left the office at 11:30 3 hrs after i walked in the door. Thank god I am salary. Unload car. Sit at computer and bitch. Which is where I am now.
Mike and I both took Tues off so that way we can move most stuff that day, mattress comes on Wed morning and DMB concert Wed night. My luck it will be a monsoon on Wednesday night.
Positive attitude though. Almost feels like an out of body experience. Erily calm...............

No one mentioned this possibility

2009-07-23T14:51:00.002-09:30

So I go to work today thinking like its Friday.
Tomorrow is closing. No big deal that I didnt have the closing check in hand from my bank.
I was confident it would come in the mail today. So I went to work hoping for the call from the title co to set the time and place to close. Had a meeting 10:30-11:30 no message. Lunch from 12-1 no message. Couple emails to my realtor. No response. By 3:00 I was getting nervous. I called my mortgage guy who told me that there had been a "glitch" at the bank. The paperwork had not made it from the bank to the title co. But he reassured me that the bank had emailed the dox to the title co and we shouldnt have a problem closing tomorrow. Then the realtor called. The title co is moving and they are shutting off the phones an hr early. grrr. Still I remain amazingly calm. For those of you that know me you would think I would have lost it weeks ago. So nothing from the title co. BUT the check came YEAH. As well as the comforter set and shower curtain. Realtor said there is a 50/50 chance I will still close tomorrow. So I rescheduled the mattress delivery to Wed. rather then Saturday just in case. Everything has been switched over effective tomorrow but no big deal not like the seller is going over and going to turn the house into a freezer. I figure something worth having is worth waiting for and its not like its not going to happen. It still may. Hope so because the "movers" are set for tomorrow night. If not Mike's dad has a van we can use. So I am going into work tomorrow hoping that I will hear something. If not I get 2 days off next week.

4 days left

2009-07-20T15:50:00.002-09:30

So this weekend I went on a massive (for me) spending spree.
bedding set from O-stock.com (thanks holly) Mattress and box spring from local store, hit Target for towels and shower curtain rod, Target.com for shower curtain and dishes, Lowes for a tool set and fire extinguisher, Home depot garbage can and How to book, Ollies (discount store) bath mat and some non essentials. So I am supposed to close on Friday. God willing. Waiting to hear from the title company to set up the time and place. Mattress to be delivered Sat. Moving the bigger stuff with the help of 2 friends from work and a horse trailer on Friday after I get the keys.
Once moved I was told dinner at the local Italian restaurant was in order complete w. BYOB.
I am all packed except for clothes, shoes and jackets. All of which can be crammed into my little hatchback.
Its supposed to rain but thats my luck. I may not be able to post much but when I get settled I should have some pix up.

Check one two

2009-07-14T14:49:00.003-09:30

Address change form with post office. check
Change car insurance. check
Get homeowners insurance. check
Get water, gas and electric set up. check
Start packing. check
Get help for moving what few bigger things I have. check
Am I missing anything?? my sanity maybe.
Closing is still on for the 24th, next friday.
I talked to my realtor and I wont be getting the keys until after 4 that day. Something to do with the courthouse. So I may end up signing going shopping for some essentials and then moving some boxes that night.
Since I am doing this on my own I will be roughing it for a few months until I can see how the budget I worked out goes. No cable or internet. No bed hopefully the air mattress will be somewhat comfortable.
I took my dad out to see the house and he was very pleased. I think maybe even a bit proud. It was hard doing this all on my own but I did it me by myself. So if it goes well great if not only me to blame. Mike has taken the whole thing very well. For a while there I was really scared. I am going to spend most of my time finishing up all those projects that have never gotten done so that should last me till the first of the year. Plus the little (and hopefully not too many big) things that come with a house. I would really like to paint but what is there now is great and really doesnt need changed. I am on the lookout for great bargains for house things. Towels, linens, drapes, furniture, art etc. There are some things on Etsy I have my eye on but any recommendations anyone out there has would be helpful too.

Its MINE

2009-07-01T14:44:00.002-09:30

So after much MUCH MUCH thought I have taken the next step and have decided to buy the house. I am just waiting for the ok from the financing and closing is set for 7/24. What changed my mind from the way I was feeling before. Last Sat we went out to look at the area "under the stairs" one more time. The owner was there neither I or my realtor realized he would be there. It was a blessing in disguise. He took me all over the house. From the issues I had with the basement to the issue I had with the attic and EVERYTHING in between. I thought it would be a 15 min visit tops. 1hr and 15 min later I was convinced that I was making the right decision. Nothing is going to be perfect. I cant afford new either. I think this is the best that I could hope for and I am so happy and excited I think I have gone numb. Is this what adulthood feels like?
I am going to miss my life as it is now but this will help me achive my dreams on my terms.
Mike and I will be staying together and were going to see how things go. I hope we can. I REALLY DO. Only time will tell.
So now its list making and packing.

karma sucks

2009-06-22T16:15:00.008-09:30

Karma is a terrible thing.
Sat with mom at the quilt show was AMAZING. We had so much fun. Likely the most fun we have ever had together. This is my favorite. All the pictures are made up of hundreds if little pictures. The coolest part was the mirrored square. .
Second favorite was this one.
This won the best in show.
They had a really cool display from a group of guilds. It was a challenge from one of the Batik companies. They provided the blue fabric and the quilters were given the area on the hanging where the blue had to be (2in down from top 3 inches long on left 2 in up from bottom 5in on right) They made it so they all came together and formed a river. There is mom.
So for all the greatness Sat brought Sun balanced it out.
I wont get into details but the Inspector was an ass jack ass. I cried the whole way home and have pretty much thrown in the towel. He didnt bring a ladder to get up on the roof. He treated me like a girl when I had grown up manlike questions. He didnt check the things that he was supposed to and checked the things he didnt have to. So once I calmed down I emailed my realtor and explained the things that we found unacceptable with the home. #1 the gas dryer was directly over the sump pump. I wont list everything else or I may start crying again. So the whole thing is getting put on hold until I hear back from my realtor and the waterproofing guys. So I will just let the wave go and hold on some more.
End on a positive. More cool quilts.

MIA

2009-06-19T15:26:00.007-09:30

Ok so its been a while.
I have been busy seriously.
I finally found a house.

Put the offer in 6/6 countered a couple times finalized the offer 6/13.
Went to through the financing ppwk on Tuesday. Going to have the Home inspection done Sunday morning. Monday if things go well at the inspection I am getting online to submit some stuff for the state. Tues have more ppwk to sign for Ohio for the financing. And from there it should just be a matter of time. Closing is set for 7/24/09. Again if all goes well at the inspection. I have some concerns about the basement. There was some prior waterproofing done. (lifetime gurantee) But there is a crack in the floor. Now to me it doesnt seem to be a deal breaker Mike thinks I am crazy to even be considering the house at all. I am torn. So I am waiting to see what the inspector says. I have to pay for it but I would rather spend 300$ to be told by a professional that there is an issue then blame Mike for the rest of my life for not getting the house. I carry grudges.
Its perfect. Nice kitchen. Big enough to make dinners and bake. I dont entertain so I dont need a big space. All new appliances, fridge, dishwasher and range. There is a neat half bath on the main level between the kitchen and the basement. Nice little dining room so I dont have to eat on the couch anymore. Nice size living room it has a fireplace but it doesnt work. Candles here I come. A huge front window to let in a ton of light. Upstairs has a retro full bath and 3 bedrooms. One is perfect for the bedroom and one of the others will likely be an "office" for when I can afford to get my own computer. The other would be a great guest room for when D-crazy and the fam come for visit. Full basement with washer dryer new furnace, ac and hot water tank. Windows and siding is new and a 2 car garage. 1300 square feet for under 100k.
The 8K from Obama plus a new program for the state that provides up to 3% for the downpayment is really going to give me options to help start the business.
Oh and did I mention I signed up for classes and am going back to school to try and finish my 3rd degree. Grrrrr. Got quotes for Homeowners insurance too. So I need a break.
Mom came back into town. Were going to a huge quilt show in Columbus tomorrow. Were going on a Charter bus that the local quilt shop organized. 40$ awesome deal. I am taking the camera so be prepared for pictures.
My back breaks needed replaced after 78k miles go figure. Did that last Saturday. Oh and I got the recliner of my dreams as well Saturday. A Lane rocker recliner that swivels and has some kind of fabric like leather. Not pleather though. 200$ seriously it was orig 800$. Love it. First piece of furniture that will go in the house.
So I will post more on Sunday. Send the good house Karma my way.

Quilt part 2

2009-06-04T17:17:00.002-09:30

So after much anticipation and extreme patience by D-crazy....

It still needs the border which will be the pale blue and the binding will be brown.
I was on a roll tonight and even started finishing my mom and dad's from last year. The one with all the "houses". Pix of that one tomorrow.

Post 101

2009-05-28T15:19:00.004-09:30

So since this Blog is supposed to be about quiliting......

This is the bosses quilt. I also have some hefty goals to finish a couple other ones this weekend.

Oh and we got the kid a pool. I know its cheezy but she LOVES it.

And the pool was not made in China only 10$. Worth every penny. She digs in the water and tries to catch the reflections.

2009-05-28T15:19:00.003-09:30

Happy Memorial Day

2009-05-23T15:41:00.004-09:30

Mike found this and I had to share it. It made me smile.
Wait for it Axel does make an appearance.

Rated R

2009-05-15T10:26:00.003-09:30

FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK
So I didnt get the job
Recruiter said I did great but they found other people that were a better fit for the job. AKA I am overqualified. Duh that was part of the reason I was trying to get the job.
I am really having a tough time with this. I know I should be EXTREMELY thankful that I have a job there are hundreds of thousands of people who wish they were in my shoes. My main beef is that I bust my butt and get nothing but a paycheck for it. Oh and some great benefits. So I took advantage of one of those benefits (being salary) and left work and came home. WHY am I so upset? I should be thankful. There are things that I love about my job that I would have really missed. I just wish I felt like what I do really mattered. That people appreciated the effort and time that I put in on a daily basis. I wish someone would say thank you for collecting over 420k last month. Why is it that you are only recognized when your not doing a good job? There are so many things that frustrate me about my job and I wish with all my heart that I could just let it go and not personalize and take it personally. I wish I DIDNT GIVE A FUCK. There is a reason for this. Whether I know it now or not there is a reason. Maybe its so I have a job that is secure enough to allow me to look for and purchase my own home. I have another appointment Wednesday. Maybe I just need to have my DR write me a RX for something else that has a little more effect on my negative attitude. I want to be positive I DO. I cant figure out why I cant be.
Seriously we have ONE shot at this. ONE no do overs at the end and I really hate to think that this is really all there is for me. I dont want this to be as good as it gets. I want to matter. To know what I feel and how I think and what I do means SOMETHING TO SOMEONE. If not why the fuck even bother?

Hurry up and wait.

2009-05-14T15:58:00.002-09:30

It has been a crazy week.
Mom and dad came in for Moms day and to celebrate Dad's new job.
For all you enviro fans he now works for a company that sells these pellets that you add to the mix when you make your plastic so that when you bury the plastic it COMPLETELY BIODEGRATES! Seriously.
Here is the link to the company.
That and Mike wound up in the ER Sunday night. Something to do with the riding lawn mower, a block holding the blade and slipping. All I heard was screaming and three stitches later we were home. Friday and Monday's interviews went great but now I am waiting to get a verdict which should have been in by Wednesday. Then I went to check out a couple more houses the other night worked one of the quilts last night and tonight waited for the Roadside assistance guy because Mikes tire went flat at work and they wont do work on your car unless someone is there. He would have changed the tire himself except for the nasty bite he got from the lawnmower.
So I am having my first drink in a couple weeks and it will involve Moonshine.
Oh and they just laid of 2% of the employees in our claims department. Totally unexpectedly. They normally take you and put you somewhere else but we dont have anywhere else to put them so alot were given packages and a thanks on their way out.
SCARY.

"the Company"

2009-05-06T16:23:00.003-09:30

I landed an interview for that new position at "The Company".
Friday I meet with the hiring manager and monday w. the HR rep.
So I am taking that as a good sign.
Only bad thing is that we have to answer all the interview questions using a certain format. STAR Situation Task Action Result.
Q: So give me an example of a time when you were faced with an unexpected challenge and what was the outcome.
A: Well I am in this situation now where I really dont like the place where I am living (S). So I have decided to start looking for a new home (T). I contacted a realtor friend of mine and we have been looking at some houses over the past month or so. (A) I havent seemed to find anything that fits my budget that I really feel comfortable with (R) (and here is the kicker you always have to end positive) but I think that if I keep trying that I will find something just perfect for me.
Every question has to be answered that way or you get points knocked off. Plus if your too brief it hurts you and if you ramble on it hurts you too. So I have some practice questions and I am going to get this "study" for my interviews. GRRRRRR. If I didnt want out of my current job so bad I wouldnt be putting myself through this hell.
I did get to buy new shoes and a new shirt though. Both of which were made in CHINA so I am none too pleased about that fact either. I will let you know how it goes. Oh and no new news on the house front other than the fact that the owner of the last place offered to drop the price drastically if I wanted it. Tempting yes but Im not that desperate....yet.

This sucks

2009-05-04T16:07:00.002-09:30

House hunting yesterday did not go so well.
I trust Mike. I believe that when he tells me something its for my own good, even if its not for his.
We went to check out the house and well there were some issues that were overlooked. I am not a handy person so I had no idea the insulation in the upstairs was inadequate or that the fact that the house had been waterproofed 2x (inside and out) was a sure tail sign. The garage that I thought Mr. Obama would buy me would cost more like 12k to dig up and replace due to the brand new driveway that you couldnt drive a heavy duty truck on.
Little things here and there added up to one big mess. So no deal.
At least I didnt blow 200.00 on the home inspection just to find out the same things
So I am going to just go with the flow. Fate has a funny way of setting things up for you. I have an interview on Friday and Monday. I posted for a Legal Assistant job which I will hopefully get. I need out of the clicky little shithole I am in now. Screw being salary, I am sick of being expected to do 4 peoples jobs and only getting paid for mine.
Come on fate.

I think we have a winner

2009-05-01T14:08:00.002-09:30

Ok good news first. LOVE IT. Seriously, probably even more then the first one. It has everything I need and just enough weekend projects to let me make it my own.
Bad news I will need to eventually tear out the garage and rebuild one. Thank you Mr Obama for giving me the bonus 8k to do that.
I told Mike that he needs to see it this weekend (I promised I would have him check out anything I was seriously considering) and I told my Realtor to have the ppwk ready for me to sign when we show up again.
Its way smaller then Mikes house. But I think that is part of our problem there is too much space and it all needs something fixed. Here yeah its small but its ALL done. Plus piece of mind of a 1 Yr home warranty.

So this weekend should be interesting.
I will be sure to get some more pix and post them asap.

Once more for the people in the back

2009-04-29T15:30:00.003-09:30

Going to see another house tomorrow.
This one has potential as well.
4br/2bath 1200sq ft
4 car garage w. workshop
Harwood Floors, new paint, fenced yard, all appliances, newer furnace and central air
one yr home warranty
Likely will need roof because they didnt mention it and maybe new windows. But it doesnt look that bad from the pix.
We will know more tomorrow.

"The One"

2009-04-23T17:24:00.003-09:30

So I was talking to a coworker today and she asked what house hunting was like. I thought for a moment and said, "It has to be like trying to find the right wedding dress." Not that I have ever tried on dresses but I am hooked on this show called Say Yes to the Dress. I know pathetic but it as close to the real thing Im ever gonna get.
So you like certain things about certain houses (look through all the current issues of Bride) you go into battle with an idea of what you want 3 bedrooms 2 baths all appliances, central air, garage (A-line strapless lace and a long trian). Eventually you hopefully find "The One" and your supposed to know it the instant you tried it on.
Well one big difference is that the dress doesnt have to pass the "inspection" well I guess if you bring any friends to your try ons that could count. And when its all done you end up signing your life away. The deed and the marriage license.
Looked at one today out of my price range but nice. Maybe. The one tomorrow is a bust. Funny how realistic they can make MOBILE HOMES today.

Seriously. I had to pull the auditor's records to find it out. DAMN THEM!!
So I am going to keep trying and in the meantime not take for granted what I already have.

There is always a catch

2009-04-22T11:54:00.001-09:30

So that water issue that I thought may be an issue is an issue.
We pulled the city inspection report and the house has a couple violations. 2 were minor 1 was completely waterproofing the basement. SO since I am getting an FHA loan no way that would have flown and there was already a pending contract on the place so no chance they were going to fix it.
No worries onto plan B. Looking at one nice one right where I grew up on Friday. Drove by it this afternoon not too shabby. Then another one near work thats a bit out of my price range tomorrow after work. There is also a condo a street over that may have potential but the association fees are a killer.
I will keep you all in the loop.
Off to finally finish the bosses quilt only the top. Its "due" Friday.

Our house in the middle of our street

2009-04-20T16:46:00.003-09:30

Ok so we went to see 18 houses on Saturday. 10:00-6ish.
I found one. One that I reallllly loved. A few maybe's but since I dont have a deadline to be out I am holding out for "the one" kindof like the search for "the right" wedding dress only bigger and more expensive.
Above are a couple pix. It has a cedar linen closet. OMMMMMMMMG
There is one thing that worries me its all sounding too good to be true.
Plus there is this

Now for those of you who havent a clue as to what that is let me explain. Its a coal shute. This house was actually built in 1949 when the main form of heat in my part of town was coal. Dont know where the water is coming from but that isnt good and I have no idea if it would even pass inspection. Were working on getting a copy of the inspection from the city.
Details 3 bedrooms 2 full baths over 1200 square ft. Central air oh and EVERYTHING IS DONE AND NEW!!!!!.
So I am officially in lurv with this house. If its meant to be it will happen if not I will be really pissed. Oh and only 100k baby. Orig listed for 140k which again makes me think there is some unknown demon hiding somewhere. We shall see.

Just one more reason

2009-04-17T15:12:00.002-09:30

I took Kiah out to go to the bathroom. I just got done with a nice relaxing hot shower.
Mikes mom and dad were just pulling in next door so we went over for a visit. They said hello and then suggested I let her run around in their fenced in back yard. Oh did I mention the last few days we had some rain and it was just a titch muddy. No big deal. Needless to say I just got done wrestling her into the tub stinky marsh mud and all. Giving her a bath of which she was NOT pleased and then for kicks let her air dry herself around the house. I think I f'd up my back in the process of the bath and had to wipe down the walls in the bathroom to get all the mud off. So much for the nice shower.
House tomorrow I will find a house so help me god.
and YES I AM BEING A SELFISH LITTLE BITCH BUT RIGHT NOW I DONT CARE!!!!!!!!!!

House hunting Blitzkrieg

2009-04-16T15:59:00.002-09:30

So I got an email from my Realtor today. 20 houses on Saturday. 20. I meet her at 10 and she said we wouldnt be done until 4:30ish. Oh joy. Its going to be warm and sunny out too so keep your fingers crossed. I am taking the camera too so I may need your input on Sunday. Wish me luck.
Oh and Mikes new idea is to quit his job, move to South Carolina and start a auto parts business with his Hot Wheels buddy. Um good luck with that. He's considering all his options.

Sorry mini hiatus should be done

2009-04-14T16:05:00.002-09:30

So the holiday is over fun family and food. NO wine which was a bit of a disappointment. I have made a decision to start looking for my own place. Not that I dont LOVE my man I just need to fulfill my dreams and I really dont see that happening in the position I am in now. If loosing Morgan taught me anything it is that life is too short to put all your hopes and dreams on someone else. I dont have the time to wait any longer for a home. (note i did not say house) So I went out got pre approved for a loan called up a Realtor friend of mine and away I went. Mike wasnt too pleased but I told him that it wasnt that I didnt love him anymore I just loved myself more. Looked at a couple forclosures so far and needless to say you have to be really pissed or desperate to take a furnace from you own home with you when you get kicked out. Oh and the kitchen sink. Seriously everything including fixtures were gone in the one condo I looked at. SERIOUSLY THE FURNACE!
So Realtor and I have arrange to spend Saturday trying to find me a new pad. Nice thing is I have somewhere to stay. I am not going anywhere unless I find something that really suits and fits me. ME. Bad thing is that I really dont have alot to take with me so I need appliances to be incl in the home aka higher price. Along with the fact that if (and when) I do find a place I have no furniture. So I will need things like a bed, dresser couch etc. Salvation Army here I come. I have lived in some pretty crappy places ask D-crazy about the efficiency apt I lived in while in college. Homeless people would not have lived there. Plus anything I pick will likely be better then where I am now as far as being finished. Granted it may not be as big but everything in it will be mine and will be there for a reason and have a use. nuff said. So we shall see what Saturday has in store for me and I will let you know.

Recalculating

2009-03-31T15:36:00.004-09:30

It was so hard to go back to work today.
I had Friday and Monday off. I needed to recharge and D-crazy came up for a visit.
Great time reallllly great time. We talked alot. I needed that more then I realized. I dont have any friends other than her and its tough holding everything inside all the time. I let it all out and then some. So I felt better about everything. So when I walked into my cube back to work today I tried practicing what I preached. It was hard and it will take some time. All day I focused on myself and how I was feeling not worrying about what everyone else thought. When I got angry I growled to myself and just worked through it and then when done celebrated with a internal smile. I know sounds cheezy but I need to do it.
I still dont want to go back.
I want to sleep on the couch covered in blankets and my pup.
Why cant they pay me for that?

I love ya tomorrow

2009-03-22T02:55:00.002-09:30

So Mike left yesterday morning for his vacation. Last night was hard nothing in the bed with me. So at about 2 am I thought I would let Kiah out and up on the bed. A few hrs later I find my glasses destroyed in the living room. Funny thing is out of all the things in the house she could have destroyed she chose the same glasses Morgan destroyed when I was in college. So I have a feeling she is still around one way or another.
Today I am gonna work around the house and work on some quilts.

Morgan aka the boo dog

2009-03-16T12:39:00.002-09:30

Adopted 6/1999
At peace 3/16/09
During her life she loved and was loved by friends and strangers alike. Known as the Walmart greeter dog she was always happy to say hello to everyone and bring a smile to their day. She is survived by her Mom and Dad, sister Kiah and partner in crime Bailey.
She is proceeded by Schnapps and some fish.
The family requests donations to be made to your local animal shelter in her memory.
She will never be forgotten.

The Journey
When you bring a pet into your life, you begin a journey - a journey that will bring you more love and devotion than you have ever known, yet also test your strength and courage.
If you allow, the journey will teach you many things, about life, about yourself, and most of all, about love. You will come away changed forever, for one soul cannot touch another without leaving its mark.
Along the way, you will learn much about savoring life's simple pleasures - jumping in leaves, snoozing in the sun, the joys of puddles, and even the satisfaction of a good scratch behind the ears.
If you spend much time outside, you will be taught how to truly experience every element, for no rock, leaf, or log will go unexamined, no rustling bush will be overlooked, and even the very air will be inhaled, pondered, and noted as being full of valuable information. Your pace may be slower - except when heading home to the food dish - but you will become a better naturalist, having been taught by an expert in the field.
Too many times we hike on automatic pilot, our goal being to complete the trail rather than enjoy the journey. We miss the details - the colorful mushrooms on the rotting log, the honeycomb in the old maple snag, the hawk feather caught on a twig. Once we walk as a dog does, we discover a whole new world. We stop; we browse the landscape, we kick over leaves, peek in tree holes, look up, down, all around. And we learn what any dog knows: that nature has created a marvelously complex world that is full of surprises, that each cycle of the seasons bring ever changing wonders, each day an essence all its own.
Even from indoors you will find yourself more attuned to the world around you. You will find yourself watching summer insects collecting on a screen. (How bizarre they are! How many kinds there are!), or noting the flick and flash of fireflies through the dark. You will stop to observe the swirling dance of windblown leaves, or sniff the air after a rain. It does not matter that there is no objective in this; the point is in the doing, in not letting life's most important details slip by.
You will find yourself doing silly things that your pet-less friends might not understand: spending thirty minutes in the grocery aisle looking for the cat food brand your feline must have, buying dog birthday treats, or driving around the block an extra time because your pet enjoys the ride. You will roll in the snow, wrestle with chewy toys, bounce little rubber balls till your eyes cross, and even run around the house trailing your bathrobe tie - with a cat in hot pursuit - all in the name of love.
Your house will become muddier and hairier. You will wear less dark clothing and buy more lint rollers. You may find dog biscuits in your pocket or purse, and feel the need to explain that an old plastic shopping bag adorns your living room rug because your cat loves the crinkly sound.
You will learn the true measure of love - the steadfast, undying kind that says, "It doesn't matter where we are or what we do, or how life treats us as long as we are together." Respect this always. It is the most precious gift any living soul can give another. You will not find it often among the human race.
And you will learn humility. The look in my dog's eyes often made me feel ashamed. Such joy and love at my presence. She saw not some flawed human who could be cross and stubborn, moody or rude, but only her wonderful companion. Or maybe she saw those things and dismissed them as mere human foibles, not worth considering, and so chose to love me anyway.
If you pay attention and learn well, when the journey is done, you will be not just a better person, but the person your pet always knew you to be - the one they were proud to call beloved friend.
I must caution you that this journey is not without pain. Like all paths of true love, the pain is part of loving. For as surely as the sun sets, one day your dear animal companion will follow a trail you cannot yet go down. And you will have to find the strength and love to let them go. A pet's time on earth is far too short - especially for those that love them. We borrow them, really, just for awhile, and during these brief years they are generous enough to give us all their love, every inch of their spirit and heart, until one day there is nothing left.
The cat that only yesterday was a kitten is all too soon old and frail and sleeping in the sun. The young pup of boundless energy wakes up stiff and lame, the muzzle now gray. Deep down we somehow always knew that this journey would end. We knew that if we gave our hearts they would be broken. But give them we must for it is all they ask in return. When the time comes, and the road curves ahead to a place we cannot see, we give one final gift and let them run on ahead - young and whole once more. "Godspeed, good friend," we say, until our journey comes full circle and our paths cross again.
Crystal Ward Kent

A time to laugh a time to cry

2009-03-15T03:50:00.004-09:30

A little over a month ago we adopted a new puppy Kiah. We both thought it was time to "grow the family". Turns out the family may not grow as we thought. My older dog Morgan isnt doing to well. We thought she was just pissed off at the new pup. I took her to the vet because her gums had lost their color and she just wasnt herself. They did some blood tests and found she had anemia (low red blood cell count 20 normal was 37-55). So we tried to figure out what may have caused it. Normally anemia is just a sign of something bigger going on beneath the surface. So we took some x-rays. Her spleen was slightly enlarged but the vet thought that it wasnt anything to be worried about, it was likely due to her having to pump out more RBC's. So we thought it was likely IMHA a condition where her body saw the RBC's as foreign bodies and was destroying them. Not good but treatable. We but her on a immunosupprecent Prednisone and an antibiotic. She has been on that for about a week. We saw the side affects from the meds start on Wednesday but we havent seen any improvements in her physically. In fact she is getting worse. We will be taking her in on Monday to see what is going on. It appears that her spleen is getting further enlarged and I am afraid it may rupture. Her personality is gone and she has trouble getting up and down from the bed and other furniture. This is my first pet and overall I think I am dealing with it pretty well. But when Mike came down this morning well lets just say I really hadn't thought he was that concerned until now. I think I have only seen him cry once or twice before. It really hit me then.
I am going to see if she is suffering. I dont see that she is in pain but she has always been strong a fighter. I want to do everything I can to make her better. I have a good chunk of money in the bank and I am not afraid to use it. But I dont want to feel like I do now every day without knowing if its helping her. That sounds so selfish, but seeing her like this compared to how she "normally" is I dont see how she cant be suffering. Mike has lost 2 dogs and he said he doesnt want to go through the false hope issues again. The ups and downs of them getting better just to get even worse is terrible. I wish I could be sure that there was nothing else we could do then I wouldnt feel so bad. I know were doing everything we can right now. I hope tomorrow the vet will tell us that either this is a normal reaction and we can keep fighting or that there isn't anything more we can do.
I am prepared to ask if the vet can come to the house to put her down. I cant stand to do it at the vet. I talked to Mike and told him that if its an option I want to donate her body to science. So were "ready". He leaves on a week vacation next Saturday so were going to have to make the decision this week. One way or another this is probably not going to be a good week for me. Send me some good mojo ok?

Opinion Needed

2009-03-08T06:07:00.007-09:30

I have a new idea for our Etsy shop.....
Button Fairy's
What do you think??

This one fits in a 6x9 bubble envelope. So its about 4.5 by 6 ish. I didnt measure them before I mailed them. I can do everything custom on these from the color of the "wings" and "tail" and I can also do other faces, button styles etc.
I like them and they are super easy to make.
If you like them how much should they go for??

Finally Friday

2009-02-27T16:38:00.002-09:30

I had one heck of a week.
Now its over. I stopped on the way home bought some liquor and will be commencing mass consumption of alcohol soon oh very soon.
Good news. The quilt I was making for d-crazy (bet you thought i forgot) is almost done. Should have the top together by the end of the weekend.
I am also in the midst of making a double wedding ring quilt for my boss she is getting married in May. (ex-boss part of the heck of a week) I still have a job but she is transferring to a different department which was very sudden and unexpected. Have I ever mentioned I hate change. HATE IT. I am a creature of habit. Almost to the point it scares me. Same thing for lunch and dinner almost every day. I park in the same spot (or pretty close) every day. Ok that is a bit scary. So when I was told that she was leaving it was not a good way to start the week.
So I will hopefully have D-crazy's completely finished by end of next month. Boss' has to be done mid April. I am pushing it really close on that end.
Oh and something to look forward to. Mini vacation end of March while Mike is at his yearly Hot Wheels convention. Dont ask. And I am taking a class on dyeing fabric. It includes block printing and screen printing too. Should be fun.
Nascar practice on see ya.

OH if it was only the other kind of snow

2009-02-19T16:24:00.002-09:30

Please oh please oh please let this be the last show we get this year. Yeah the bonus of living 2 min from Lake Erie is that in the summer it acts like a giant air conditioner. Plus the standard fun stuff associated with living by the largest fresh water deposit in the world. Beach fun. But in the winter it SUCKS. But as long as I focus on the fact that with out the winter I could not appreciate the summer it makes it easier. I just think about how in a month or so the crocus' will be coming up for the first peeks of spring. New grass baby everything. I so cant wait. Plus the puppies are getting cabin fever. Trying to keep Kiah up with no nap when I get home is getting a bit tough. I really dont like the 6:00 wake up call though so I drink some coffee. She is barking now again to go out in the freezing snow again for the 5th time in 3 hours. Ohhhhhhhh boy cant wait till spring.

Sunday Sunday Sunday

2009-02-11T16:13:00.005-09:30

As some of you know I am a Nascar fan. So this weekend is the beginning of our "season".
To celebrate I have this commercial. For oil. Thought it was funny. Enjoy

This is why I haven't been around

2009-02-02T16:18:00.005-09:30

Her name is Kiah. She is 5M old.
Vet says she is German Shepherd mix.
Her nick name is Long Legs Malone.
see below for more info........

We got her from a local organization called PAWS. Shes a cover dog. If you scroll down and look under "foster homes" she is shown there with her sister. Her foster name was Thema and her sister was Louise. Mike has even started her a blog. Dont ask me why. Proud papa syndrome maybe.
She is great. Morgan isnt too bad with it just pouty. She wont play with her either. I think her hips are starting to bother her again. We need to get her back on the glucosamine she was on.
She was house broken, fixed and knew a few simple comands when we got her (no and down). I told Mike that if she was a human she would be Charlie Chaplin. She just has that type of innocense and simple personality.
What do you think she is a mix of?

Things have been busy

2009-01-29T17:24:00.001-09:30

I will explain more later.
Until them reassurance that I am not the only one that feels that the US needs to start taking pride in itself again.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/01/29/capitol.souvenirs/index.html
see you soon!

For Tuesday

2009-01-18T05:43:00.002-09:30

For all the hype here is my contribution..... video is pretty lame but the song is funny.

BRRRRRRRRRRRR

2009-01-16T15:41:00.003-09:30

Ok you know its cold when your windshield wiper fluid doesnt squirt out because its frozen, the pump makes noise but no juice. You know its really cold when the pump that is supposed to squirt the blue juice doesnt work because its frozen (ie it doesnt make any noise at all).
Its f-ing arctic when you wake up at 8:30, the sun is out shining away and your thermometer reads:
Top # is outside temp. bottom is inside. I dont even want to think how cold it was at 2 in the morning when I woke up to pee.
At least it can be pretty

More cold pix

2009-01-13T17:45:00.004-09:30

Here you go little E

Yes you see that correctly. 4 will be the high on Friday. THE HIGH. Hey at least there is only a 20% chance of snow that day.

this is what cold looks like

2009-01-10T13:22:00.000-09:30

spend spend spend

2009-01-07T15:58:00.002-09:30

Ok I think I figured it out. I wasnt getting enough Milk. Or vitamin whatever. The past 2 days I drank a half gallon and its like im a completely different person. Come to think of it I didnt have any milk for like the week before x-mas. Problem solved.
Last night went to look for some new books etc. got a book, boycott china bumper sticker, cd and inscence plus a free book. Try this site if your into Buddhist stuff well worth it.
Then I went shopping for CHEESE. Where do you get the best cheese, from the Amish. Where do you find Amish. Southern Ohio. Where is the cheese?
AT HIENI"S the famous CHEESE CHALET.
Seriously dont knock it till youve tried it. I just like saying Heini. Heini heini. Want to touch the Heini? And its a cheese Chalet! Tell me that doesnt make you laugh your ass off and I will call you my mom.
Then I stopped buying things.
AHHHHHH feeling much better.
Hieni.

On the upswing

2009-01-03T14:06:00.002-09:30

So I went to my hairdresser today. I love her. I have known the mom and daughter team since I was 5ish. Started with the mom cutting my hair then when the daughter got her license I became her client. She's about my age and they are so good our entire family goes there and my mom and dad even come back home just to get their hair done. Nuff said. Here is the color I ended up with.
Picture doesnt do it justice.
Second, I am not fond of tea but I found one today by chance I absolutely love.
Good stuff sorry grandma have to get you another box this one is mine. MMMMM warm flavored water. Goes great with my book. Started on the third George RR Martin book tonight. After the haircut and the stop at the organic foods store (tea etc) Mike and I went out to lunch. Nice good turkey sandwich. And the place has hummus, and all that other good stuff like Aladdins but way cheaper. Think I may try their stuff next week sometime to see how it compares. If its anything like the sandwich and baclava I had I cant wait.
Last but not least. I needed a new wallet. Since I got flavored popcorn and a tin of gum instead of something I really needed for the holiday I decided to make one. Found a pattern online, thanks Kat, easy peasy and I now have a new Not made in China wallet of my very own. Thinking of putting some on the shop. We shall see.

Thats it for tonight kiddies. Time for a movie and some cake.

Out with the old

2009-01-02T16:57:00.002-09:30

Since I cant get rid of Mike, I really cant bring myself to do it. I thought i would ring in the new year with a bit of a make over. Tomorrow I get a haircut and color. I gave up trying to grow it. That just isnt gonna work. My hair is way to fine and I have an ungirly aversion to "product" and any electrical item for styling purposes. Back to my old short spikey lesbian haircut. Mike said that was ok as long as its blonde. So I will likely come out looking like this.....
oh well compromise right?
Oh and my mom got me a massage for my birthday too. Finally maybe they can get this pain out of my ass.

my wonderful new years eve

2008-12-31T15:43:00.001-09:30

mike is out at walmart looking for hotwheels
I opened the first bottle of wine when he left and turned on Machines of Malice on the Discovery channel. Let the games begin.

Was that uneventful

2008-12-28T14:27:00.002-09:30

So back to work tomorrow.
Still think Christmas sucked this year. My parents and grandmother honored my wishes to not buy me anything made in China. The only exception I made was for my vinyl to CD converter box thingy. Like they would make that anywhere but China. My sweet grandmother even complained to me that she found it very difficult. However Mikes family bought almost everything from China.
Some Chia herb garden that will likely get regifted to D-crazy. Some Beatles book that will be taken back to half price books. grrrrrrr.
Why buy things just to buy something. I would rather have gotten cash. But his family doesnt believe in that method. They would rather buy some totally irrelevant thing just so we open something. Let me tell you how hard it is to get excited over a tin of gum. Yeah i said tin of gum.
I thought I would do something different with mike on Saturday so we went to an Ephemera Auction at our local auction house. BAD IDEA. Over 300$ later we walked out of there with more crap that we didnt need, want or will use. I cried on the way home. Great time but we wont be doing that again. Hey live and learn.
So the next fun thing coming up will be planning my trip to Yellowstone. I decided that is what I want to do for my big trip this year. With or without mike. Planning sometime Late august early September. Whenever is cheapest. I will let you know how that turns out.

Orders orders everywhere

2008-12-20T09:52:00.006-09:30

The shop has been busy. Not as busy as most but a mad rush for us.
order 1 was for 4 headbands. then 1. then 1. then a custom bag. then 2 headbands.
Whew.
Here is the custom bag that I made.and some of the fabrics.

The woman that ordered it solicited me at the post office. No dirty monkey, she asked about MY purse. So I gave her a card. She then stopped me again in the parking lot and gave me her card.
I made sure she went through the shop to order it so I was being safe. Last thing I wanted was a purse stalker. Then I found out that she wanted MY bag.
I told her that each bag was one of a kind and this was my first and I couldnt part with it. So I emailed her some different fabric combination's and she picked the one shown above. Hope she liked it.

Toys for Tots

2008-12-15T16:59:00.003-09:30

The quilt shown above was raffled off on Sunday.
Tix were a dollar each or 6 for 5$.
The quilt raised $308.00 for Toys for Tots.
I also got some great free advertising and will likely end up with 4 more orders.
I went shopping too this weekend and realize that I really dont like consumerism.
I tried my hardest to buy handmade but a few things I just couldnt do on Etsy.
I did order my mom a new custom address book from enjibeck. She will love it.
I also found a really cool site for design your own photo albums. Inkubook is a great idea for wedding vacation family anything photos. And its not too pricey. Careful if you start playing with it you will get sucked in for hours. Trust me. Cool because you can invite anyone in to add to your own book. Made 2 batches of cookies and finished up 2 more quilts.
Found out I dont have to worry about Mike's son they arent coming until after the first of the year. So it may turn out to be a nice relaxing quiet holiday.
keep your fingers crossed

2wks people

2008-12-11T15:31:00.003-09:30

14 days
I have bought maybe 4 things. This is going to be a weird year. First time not having x_mas w/out the family, my family. No special cookies, no fancy dishes, no turkey etc. But I will have Mike and his family. Mmmmm yeah somehow I think its just not going to be the same. I am in a funk big time. Always happens this time of year, every year like clockwork. The less sun I get the less happy I am. I have been trying to distract myself with all these things Im making and up until yesterday it was working. Now I really dont give a shit if they get done or not. I refuse to go to the "mall" to buy anything this yearthats not my idea of a good way to spend my time or my money. I really dont have to buy anything for anyone anyway. No one will be here to get their gifts. I could send them sure but the whole idea is seeing the reaction. I havent made any cookies and that is my favorite thing to do. I have no desire to make such a big mess. The lights on the tree have been on maybe 3 times and were not even in the room when they are on. I guess Im just not in the mood this year to do anything. I dont really have anyone to do it with. So I am going back to my room to forget about this whole crummy holiday and the fact that I am turning 32 in January. Yeah that whole where do you want to be in 5 yrs idea totally backfired. Sure didnt think I would be here. Could be worse could be worse.

I just cant take a hint

2008-12-08T18:26:00.003-09:30

So I am trying to finish up the quilts for xmas. I was having problems with one and God Bless America if I almost didnt rip it off the frame and burn it. The thread kept breaking and the tension was all wrong. 2 days before it was fine and I finished my aunt and uncles with no problem. But I put Mikes moms on it and the machine wanted none of it. Should I take this as a sign? So then I pin basted it on the frame took it off and was going to quilt it manually. The basting was all funky and there were puckers everywhere. Fine. So I figured I would just give up on it for tonight and finish the binding on the other one. No sir re bob. My other machine ate up the outside border and now I have to figure out a way to fix that. So I fixed myself a nice strong drink and now am going to watch the Hero;s episode I tvo'd from earlier.
good ol moonshine cant go wrong with that.
Oh if you can find it try the Pomegranite 7-up yummy. esp with moonshine and juice.

WTF friday

2008-12-05T16:14:00.003-09:30

Not only has my week been full of fun and surprises but now its gone.
I have found that giving makes me happy. I have always thought of myself as a giver but I did something today that put me on cloud 9 all day and every time I think about it I smile. No not that you sick monkeys. Remember those 2 quilts I was doing for some people I work with. One was for a guy for his little girl for xmas I think she's 2? That was the bright fuzzy fabric. And one was for my boss's sister for her second little boy, coming end of this month the NFL Browns one. Well they were finished on my day off this Monday and delivered Tuesday. Smiles all around and even a couple Oh my god's. Then this postcard kick I have been on generated a couple orders for some other people I work with. Those were done this week too. So I had about 100.00 in my hot little hands. I took some time to think about what to do with this new found wealth. More crafty stuff, hell no I have way too much as it is. Gift for moi, nah there really isn't anything I want. Then as I was laying in bed the other night the dog at my feet and the cat on my chest it occurred to me. I chose to donate it to our local humane society. Awesome thing is that the co I work for, albiet a major pain in my ass, does have some really nice perks. One of which is a matching program for charities. Just so happened that the rep for the dept was at my building this morning. So I went down and they will be matching my donation at 100%. So all those little doggies and kitties that dont have families for the holidays will hopefully be a little warmer this holiday and hopefully I saved some furry lives. That is what the holidays are about. I swear I felt my heart grow three sizes when I dropped the envelope in the mail today. So I hope that in some way you all out there are able to give to those that are less fortunate this year. However you feel is best. There are alot of people and organizations out there now that can really use it. And it will make you feel like a hundred bucks, make that two hundred bucks.

New addition

2008-11-30T14:31:00.005-09:30

I have never had a real live Christmas tree before. UNTIL NOW.
Welcome Freddy the Fabulous Frasier Fir.
This is him when we first got him home and all nice and comfy in his new tree stand.

Then Mike put on the lights and ornaments. What a doll.

Then I tried to figure out how to take a cool dark picture.

So all I have to do now is remember to water him everyday for the next month and things will be just sprucy on x-mas morning. Taking tomorrow off to finish the quilts for the holidays. Like I need another day off after the holiday. Hell yeah why not?

Gobble Gobble

2008-11-25T16:07:00.001-09:30

Yep family food and wine what could be better? Sorry this is short but I have a deadline to beat so I am back to my room. I hope all of you out there in Blogland have a great holiday. Talk to you soon!

Another Friday night and I aint got nobody....

2008-11-21T14:42:00.002-09:30

Ok I KNOW the song says Saturday night but then that wouldnt work here would it.
Check this out Finally found a non biased tell it like it is news website. What I like most about it is that it is showing all the bs laws MR soon to be Ex president has decided to pass. AND no he doesnt need the approval of congress.
DONE
Not much to report. Almost done with my fabric postcards. Only one more left. I did get another one in the mail but I am holding off the pix until I get mine done.
Plans for the weekend make some food do some stuff keep warm. When the High is 20 you know its cold.

Just another day in paradise

2008-11-19T15:51:00.001-09:30

Ok if noone noticed Thanksgiving is like a week away. I have no idea whats going on since i have spent most of my time in my room. I kindof like it. If I dont know whats being planned I cant get stressed. Just show me where the food is and I will eat it. I did take some time to check out some other blogs and found this...http://www.umbrellas.net/
Nascar is over too so I wont have anthing to do on sundays until Valentines day.
back to my room.

Lookie what I got!

2008-11-16T16:27:00.004-09:30

These are the first 2 postcards I got in the swap I joined. Then I found a couple more Yahoo groups that do the same thing. This is so cool. Just thought I would share.
The weather is crappy with 100% chance of crappy tomorrow. Hope I can get to work.

New to me

2008-11-13T15:34:00.005-09:30

We are remodeling. We have been remodeling and we will continue to remodel.
Now when I say remodel, I mean demolition and rebuilding. Taking out walls and putting in new floors. Mike told me about a week ago that we may be getting some hand me down cabinets. Not new but taken out of a house that did get new ones. Mind you when we get our new ones it going to cost a little over 7k. He told me they would be taken care of when I got home from D-crazy's. Not so much. Good news is that since we have so many "new" cabinets we needed a "new" countertop. I got a NEW countertop and it is the exact same one we picked out to put in to begin with. So we will likely get the other one this weekend and we will be one step closer. I was also going to get new hardware for the cabinets just to make them feel like they are ours.
As for the quilting front.
Got my first postcard from my swap. Its beautiful. I will get a pic up tomorrow.
I have every top done except for D-crazy's.
I should have that pieced by end of weekend and hope to have the machine up and running to start quilting. I am a bit ahead of the game so I may take a break and enjoy the last Nascar race until Febuary. Or maybe I can finish my postcards.
P.S. Happy birthday Little E!

Let it stop snowing

2008-11-10T16:13:00.002-09:30

Welcome to winter Northeast OHIO.

Lake effect snow has got to be one of the worst things in the world. The fact that it only occurs 4 places in the world enforces that fact. Lucky me was born raised and live in one of the 4. How con-fing-vienent. I had to work from home today because I couldnt make it to the freeway about a mile away from the house. Seriously I got stuck on a hill that was about as small as my boobs. GRRRRRR. I hate the snow. I get into some predicament every year and luckily have not had anything serious happen.
This weekend on the other hand was great. Fabric, indian food, and a cool little girl and her mom and dad. What could be better.
So all in all everything balanced itself out. Damn that Karma.

One crazy week.

2008-11-06T15:53:00.004-09:30

Mom came back into town on Monday, Aunt Sue came in from North Carolina. Mini holiday on Wednesday. My mom gave me 2 quilts she finished for me to quilt and bind. I love you mom.
While back I briefly mentioned fabric postcards. I joined a swap and they got things rolling this week as well. OH MY> They mentioned something about them being addictive. Not good for someone with my co dependent personality, I am very prone to becoming addicted.
Here are my first 2 try's, they aren't "finished" I need to quilt them a bit and put a back and border on them.
X-mas was pretty simple I cut 3 different fabrics and stuck them on the Peltex. Second one I went kind of crazy on. I need to find the middle of the two. Spent some time looking around and got some good ideas. We shall see how it goes. There is supposed to be 25 in the group. I thought they would make some kick but x-mas cards to the family too. Off to my room.

WEEEEEEEE

2008-11-03T15:23:00.009-09:30

Thank you Thank you Thank you
check out http://whipup.net/
My day bags have been featured along with a link to this blog and our shop.

I have posted a listing for custom order bags. 2 sizes are available. Market (big) and Everyday (small). The picture above is the Everyday bag. Here is a work in progress example of the Market bag FRONT
BACK
And for comparison both finished projects:

These will give me a chance to use up all that upholstery fabric that was so generously donated.

Wild Weekend

2008-11-02T08:34:00.006-09:30

Went to a local guilds quilt show. Fell in love with this quilt.

This is what its all about. Absolutely GORGEOUS. Here is detail of the stitching.
Now I'm jealous of that.
Second the quilt top for Mike's car club is done.

They will be raffling it off next month at their X-mas party with ALL proceeds going to Toys for Tots. What will I receive in exchange? Free advertising. Mike feels that if enough people see this at the party there are enough other members out there that would like one for themselves made from their own t-shirts. SOOOOOO, the ETSY shop will be getting free advertising in the club's monthly newsletter. I think they have at least 50 members not to mention family and friends. Only catch is that I have to list this as an example on the shop and hope that after the holidays I will have enough time to complete the orders. If I get any. Good thing is that these are easy peasy and really aren't that hard. They can be done with any and all types of shirts. I have seen Greek ones (Sigma Theta whatever), school ones (high school, college etc) team ones (played on or rooted for) the possibilities are endless. I personally like the old school concert t ones. Ahhh the memories. Anyway I have to list something on the shop so that when the Dec newsletter comes out there will be something there. We may also get a link on the clubs brand spanking new website. But that has yet to be determined.
http://www.lakecountycruisers.net/lake_county_cruisers/Home.html
So I am hoping that this will bring in some much needed revenue to the shop. We shall see. Plus it will give me an outlet for starting the quilting biz.
So I am going to proof a posting for the shop and we should have a listing by tonight.
TELL ALL YOUR FRIENDS!!!

FACELIFT

2008-10-31T15:44:00.000-09:30

Tell me what you think.

One more thing to add to the mix

2008-10-30T15:31:00.006-09:30

I was thinking. No its ok really I'm fine thanks.
I saw these really cool Fabric Post Cards on Quilt Pixie's site and thought to myself. Self, yes. Why dont I try something like that? I dont know. They are small 4x6 and the creative possibilities are endless. I especially like the fact that I could make a whole bunch of different ones and send them out to my family as holiday cards. There is also a little girl I know who is having a birthday soon. So I think I will try her's first. She is one of my favorite guinnea pigs, she got my first wristlet too. That is the plan for this weekend. And if things go well I will be organizing a swap. So stay tuned.
I started quilting mom and dad's quilt. I decided to do the quilt method where you quilt one block at a time and then join all the parts together. It seems to work great for this example.
Sorry if the picture of the stippling is a bit off I am still tying to get the hang of this camera.
Oh and yesterday, before we went to see RAIN (more later) I got done piecing some of D-crazy's quilt. I am also taking pix as I go so when its done I will post it as a tutorial. I have 19 of these buggers running around my room now.
RAIN was AWESOME!! Even if you dont care about or for the Beatles one way or another It is one hell of a great time. http://www.raintribute.com/ Best part was When my Guitar gently Weeps. Wow. I'll be honest I cried when they did Imagine. Best 100$ I have spent in a mighty long time.
Mom is coming into town on Monday so I have to get some work done this weekend to show her and my Aunt. The sale of their house is final too. So good news and vibes all around. All the goodness had to be balanced out. At 6:00 pm est not more then .25 miles away John McCain stopped and made an "appearance" at Mentor High School. (so what if I am giving where I live away) I about rushed home and put on my Nader t-shirt and paid him a visit. But nope. I will be making my political statement at work tomorrow. Since it is Halloween I will wear the Nader t-shirt to work. Nuff said. I am taking bets on how long I will be there before they ask me to change or go home. Anyone?

Tiz the season.

2008-10-28T15:06:00.002-09:30

http://www.zefrank.com/snowflake/

The Great Pumpkin

2008-10-28T14:50:00.002-09:30

I dont know about you but when I was a kid this was a tradition. Its the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. There was also another one that some never heard of, Raggedy Ann and Andy were in one with the Glum Pumpkin. You never see that on anymore though. Funny how something like that can come back year after year and still seem current, except for the animation. God could you imagine if they had CGI back then?
Anyway weekend was normal. Week so far has been ok.
Tomorrow Mike and I are going downtown to see RAIN. Hope its fun.
Only thing really interesting is the weather, this time of year is great snow and freezing rain one day and then 60"s the next. Just pick a season and stick with it already.
You blockhead what a fool i was!

The NERVE...

2008-10-24T15:21:00.002-09:30

Just when I thought they were going to leave me alone to my personal devises. I get home today to find my Nader yard sign gone.
1st thought: Wind, but noone else lost their signs and we made sure to put it in like 3 inches.
2nd thought: Boyfriend may have moved it to mow the grass. Grass was not mowed.
3rd thought: Maybe it was the wind and I could find it. Nope. The wire part was gone too so it damn sure wasnt the wind.
Funny thing was that on the way down my street I saw numerous NEW signs for another candidate that had mysteriously popped up in people yards. Im not saying whose. So my first thought was to call the local news reporter that writes fluff pieces on people that are always getting screwed by someone else but he would think i was out of my mind.
Next idea order another sign. NOVEL idea at 5$ a piece they're a steal on the website. Shipping on the other hand was almost 11.00. 16$ for a sign was a bit outrageous. Wait I could order a bunch and put the whole mess of them in the yard that would show them. I did get an anniversary bonus at work for my 5 yr anniversary. Peter B would be so proud of me. I dont think Mike would go for that though.
Next, I did order a t-shirt along w. my sign and bumper sticker. I could make a SCARECROW!!!
There are a ton of leaves in the front yard. I could make it like a blood bath with other scarecrows representing the other candidates. HMMMMMMMM.
It just sucks thats all.
I really hope it was the wind.

Ok I can take a hint

2008-10-21T15:32:00.005-09:30

Ok so I took some cues from good old mother nature and finally listed d-crazy's awesome scarf that she left here over the summer. I made sure I took it out for a test drive first and have decided to give the scarf thing a try. I will make ONLY a few to start not like the madness that was the headbands but a couple nice ones and we will see how that goes. If not so well at least I can get some use out of them over the next few months. Here is the one I listed.
I also have the idea of making a couple of scarfs this style just to see. They are actually made out of that fleece you see at the stores all over the place now. I would like to avoid having to go out and get more fabric right now so I think I will use some of the cotton I had hanging around for bands and give it a shot. I will let you know. Oh and the boss LOVED the Browns quilt. Just need to finish 2 more and then I can actually quilt them all. Goal is to start quilting no later than Thanksgiving. That way most will be done by the holiday. Hand binding will take some time though.

D-crazy part deux

2008-10-20T13:53:00.007-09:30

So i decided on plain unbleached muslin for the block corners. Nice plain simple. Good way to offset the busy fabric and blocks. Here is the first try. Not all will be like this in fact I hope that each block will be completely different.
Coolest part is I can rotate them and get totally different looks. I can even set them on point. What that means for you non-quilters is that i wont line them up in your traditional rows. More like on diagonals. Like I did for the Baby quilt for the boss's new nephew.

Thats about it for now. I have a cough that has within the past few hours turned into a terrible sore throat. I dont want to drink coffee or tea. Ice cream didnt help. Maybe some warm jello. I finally found something to do with all my leftover salvages too. I am such a quilting nerd.

D-crazy part 1

2008-10-18T15:50:00.004-09:30

This is the fabric line I am using for D-crazy's quilt.

I saw the patterns and colors and thought of her immediately. Dont know why but I think they are earthy and thats why. Blue sky, green grass and brown dirt.
As far as the pattern. I cant find an exact example of it online but its called (appropriately) spiderweb. She picked it out of the greatest quilt book I have ever found. Its called Block Party by Marsha McCloskey. If your a quilter and dont have this book get it. Its well worth it for beginners and experienced quilters alike.
The only issue I am having is that I need another fabric for the corner setting blocks. I dont want to use any of the fabrics I used already so Im on a search for a dirty white or cream. The 4 large scale prints in the top row will be used for the backing.

Special Announcement

2008-10-18T14:10:00.002-09:30

One of the blogs I follow...http://whipup.net/ Has accepted one of my submissions for the month of November. The theme for Nov is RECYCLED. I am featuring the wristlets I make from the old fabric samples I got from my local fabric reupholster'er
It will be posted on their blog 11/3 so check it out maybe I should make up some more to post just in case.
On to the trouble I have gotten into....
Monster cookies baked, chex mix, chili, veal scallopini and rice and wine for dinner tonight, an awesome barley casserole using barley and lipton soup mix, D-crazy's quilt is all cut out, vacuming, grocery shopping, fish tank and cat box. I even had time for a quick nap before I started dinner. Tomorrow Mike comes home so I will finish the laundry and that should be it. Maybe I should take a shower before he gets home. Yep that would be a really good idea.
It was cold last night so I had a fire in the fire place. Nice. toasty.

All alone

2008-10-16T14:32:00.003-09:30

Now what kind of trouble can I get into.
Not much.
Barrett Jackson is on Speed tonight and if you always wondered what the big deal with old cars is this is the perfect introduction. Tonight tomorrow and saturday.
Tonight I designated as veg out night. Chipolte, diet Coke, and pierre's peanut butter cup ice cream. Tomorrow i am making a point to start D-crazy's quilt. Dont say anything but I already cut out some pieces and ooooohhhh its gonna be good. Only thing is she reads this so do I post the progress or do I keep it a surprise. What do you think?
I have been slacking w. the shop and I have some headbands that need finished. So those are on the list as well. We shall see what develops. I have planned a sleepover in the living room with the kids. We do this when "dad" leaves. Something about sleeping in the bed alone bothers me. It shouldnt as its the only time i get more than 12 inches to sleep on but im weird like that.

frickin fruck feckin frak frickety F$%K

2008-10-14T17:06:00.003-09:30

MIKE SHRUNK MY HAT!!!!!!!!
My awesome etsy hat that matched my awesome fingerless gloves. It was the coolest thing I ever had in a hat and I have had many and now its the size of a large beanie. I tried rewetting it and stretching it out but it keeps shrinking up again. WHY BECAUSE ITS WOOL. Hes alergic to wool and should not have been within 5 feet of the hat. Now its just one big heavy wet round tard when it used to be a hat. I convo'd the gal who made it in hopes she had more yarn to make me a new one. Pray for me.
Oh and he left the freezer open AGAIN last night before he came to bed. So it was open and running all night while we were up snug in our bed.
Sometimes I just want to kick the living shit out of him. He doesnt do stuff on purpose but i swear how many times must you tell some one to close the freezer door before they get it. Oh and the best part is, when I confronted him about the hat he mildly said "Well I guess the laundry is yours to do now" I DO IT ANYWAY!!!!!!AAAAGGGHHHH He is leaving town this weekend and I have plans to get a bunch of shit together and take a trip to the DUMP. Maybe that will teach him. Or next time ill just stick his head in the freezer and slam the door a couple times. Kindof like rubbing your dogs face in its poo so it wont go in the house. Maybe he will get that concept.

OOOOOHHHHHHH great idea may steal it.

2008-10-14T12:55:00.001-09:30

http://pigtailsandsnails.blogspot.com/2008/10/quilt-giveaway.html
Quilt give away. Love the colors and design. And it would be awesome to have now that fall is coming. Check it out!

Weekend+boy= great time

2008-10-13T14:44:00.008-09:30

We had a great time, best in a long time.
I left work early Friday. Saturday was my filling but I didnt even need the numbing stuff, he just ground down the tooth and squirted this stuff in and done. It took like 10 minutes, seriously.
He went out with a friend Sat afternoon and we watched the race Sat eve.
Sun up bright and early in the car for almost 2 hours. Christmas in the Woods was great. It was hot like 80's. It was busy but I didnt get nuts. I think it was because the first thing we bought was a bracelet for me for X-mas. I get to wear it up until a wk before the holidays so I am really happy.Yep its even handmade. The gentleman was making them right there in front of us. This was the only one he had of this style and It was hiding in a bag. Love it. I have the website of the guy that made it and you can order online. We spent a few hours there and got some shopping done.
We went the "scenic" route home and ended up at Mike's Place in Kent OH. Google it if your interested but all I should have to say is that there was an X wing fighter parked outside in the parking lot. SERIOUSLY. Awesome food and phenom atmosphere. If we ever get married were having everyone there to eat dinner, you can reserve the bus for groups. Google it.
Bought some fabric on the way home Friday for 2 orders, one for my boss her new nephew Browns theme and a coworker wanted a second fuzzy blanket for his little girl for x-mas.
back
front all fuzzy fabric so when Im done it will look like I killed a muppet in my room.
Short week this week. Mike leaves on Thurs morning to go to MD to see his son for the weekend. He;ll be back Sunday eve. Ah sweet bliss. So I;m taking Friday off and may decide to go to Amish country for the day. D-crazy mentioned CHEESE today and all of a sudden I need it. We'll see what happens between now and then.

Old skool

2008-10-10T16:52:00.005-09:30

So I said I found some old pix of some quilts I made way back when. And what better to do during the rain delay in Charlotte then post pix on my blog.
The pix are older so they may not be the greatest.
this was my very first quilt. I still have it. I did this when I lived in GA so maybe 7 yrs ago?

This one I made for Mikes grandfather. He was a Marine and his birthday falls on flag day.

Here is one I made for my brother for a present one year for christmas i think

Thats all for now. Rain stopped race is back on. I have my first filling tomorrow morning so that should be fun and then tomorrow night is quality time with Mike, aka watching the race together. And Suday were going to this Christmas in the woods thing. I will try to remember to take the picture machine.

Grrrrrr part 2

2008-10-08T15:30:00.014-09:30

I hate being a girl. The biggest reason is because I get all the crappy stuff, you know what Im talking about but I am never girly. I dont like shoe shopping or shopping in general. I HATE dresses and skirts unless they're hippie skirts. I like good smelling soap and candles thats about it.
Im only complaining because im dealing with some of the crappyness right now.
DONE
Good news mom and dads squares are put together they just need stitched.
I will take some photos I also decided that this will be the quilt I enter in this years quilt show. Last year was my first year and I made this....

Here are some of the squares for mom and dads:

and Mikes this one has been done for a while it just needs quilted....

I finally found some of the old pix of my earlier quilts so I will be posting those in the future.

This is my JOB....

2008-10-03T16:59:00.002-09:30

There is a new Allstate commercial out. If you haven't seen it the ad shows a court room scene where the judge imposes a judgment on a young man (the defendant) in the amount of $100,000 after an auto collision. The defendant's attorney turns to the injured person's (plaintiff) attorney to explain that the defendant has only $50,000 in insurance. The plaintiff's attorney replies that the defendant has a college fund that can be used to pay the balance of the judgment, and concerned parents ask their attorney - "can they do that?" The defendants attorney replies that they can.
I am the one that hired the Plaintiffs atty in fact he works for me. The Plaintiff is usually just there to testify and is our insured. The defendants atty is hired by the other insurance co to defend their insured. YES we can do that and will if you don't have enough insurance. Trust me I do it almost every day.

So not Buddha

2008-10-03T16:11:00.002-09:30

Ok I have my parents in town and Mike's Uncle etc from WI are coming in for his grandparents 50th wedding anniversary. His mom and dad who happen to live right next store(we will not get into how wonderful that is) are hosting a party for everyone. What does all this mean....People that I dont know will be coming into my house. Ok its not technically mine but close enough. Issues I have with this....They have money, alot of money, a realllllllly lot of money. And we dont. The house we live in has been and will continue to be "under renovation" until I can save up enough money to buy my own home and move. I have never been so worried about how someone will perseve me then when the come to the house. Honestly I am embarassed to have people here. D-crazy I was scared to death the first time she came up, but I know her and no matter what she would never say anything. But all that is going through my head right now is "what are they going to think of all this?" Now my mother was a freak before she went on meds and would spaz out anytime anyone would even mention the fact that they may stop by for a visit. It goes way deeper then that but we wont get into that here. And she had an actual home, not a construction site. Plus Mike will not get rid of anything. Seriously. The weird thing is that for the first time since we started dating 4 yrs ago he is actually twitchy too. I think he may be feeling a little of what I am going through. How can I tell....He straighted up his room. ALOT> its organized and clean. F*%k the rest of the house, I just got done taking care of all that. I look at it and think 2 things, why the hell didnt he clean the living room instead and why am I so upset with this whole thing. I have tried so hard to shake the mantra of "keeping up with the Jones's" but at times I just cant. So I have the whole weekend to worry and freak out about what these people that I have never met may or may not think about me. Repeating through my head, you probably wont ever see them again so what does it matter what they think anyway. OOOOHHHHHMMMMM.

Got my swap fabric

2008-10-01T15:07:00.002-09:30

I joined in a fabric swap on Quilt Pixie's site. I got my box today. THANK YOU THANK YOU!
I love these because you can usually get rid of some things that you wont use and give it to someone who will. The fabric scraps I received were so inspiring i have set up a personal project using them. Yes a scrap quilt for MOI. The great thing about scrap quilts is that anything goes. I need to let go a bit. I have become a bit too organized with some parts of my life. So once D-crazy's birthday quilt from MAY is done and my mom and dad's xmas one is done and all the quilting and binding is done I am making myself a birthday scrap quilt. My bday is 1/4 and I will be 32 this year. I will give myself a year to get it done, hopefully it wont take nearly that long but there were some projects that got put on the back burner. A quilt in sage and pink, mike's batik and a couple others. Plus i have been slacking on the shop. I have a few more headbands but now that winter is coming i think i should make some more bags. OH and I got my drill bits for my lake glass.
My boss loved her mantle scarf and pillow. I want to see if she will take a picture of them for me, if so I will post them. Oh forgot that other baby quilt too. Off to read for a bit then up to bed.

Not much

2008-09-30T18:14:00.000-09:30

Its rainy and cold.
got another top done a t-shirt quilt for mikes dad.
mom and dad finally got a bid on the house.
more later with pix

Projects ohhh ahhh

2008-09-25T15:40:00.013-09:30

Here were the orders I made for my boss's boss.

I made them both from pictures of things she found on the internet. Don't know why she didn't just buy them there BUT that's not the point. The point is she came to me to ask me to make them for her. I charged her more than what they were listed for online and she didn't even blink. Part of me thinks she really appreciates my work and wanted something made by me. But this is my BOSS"S BOSS here. This is also the person who BRAGGED that she went to ALDI's for the first time with her husband and didnt get the idea that you had to pay for your cart. You get the quarter back when you return the cart. Well it at least gave me the opportunity to make my first mantle scarf and a cute little decorative pillow.

I have an idea to make some scarf's for the holidays with gift boxes or something rather than the pumkins. Thier cool because the pumpkins make little pockets that you can put candy in. Now tomorrow Im off to D-crazy's for some good old fashioned family time.

Halloween is coming got your costumes?

2008-09-23T12:33:00.001-09:30

http://jas.familyfun.go.com/crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=12048
So want to do this to go to work. We actually get to dress up and decorate.
More cool costume links to come!

Some really cool news

2008-09-22T10:34:00.002-09:30

I finally got around to purchasing some showcase spots on Etsy. The Dragon bag ran yesterday and got a ton of hits, Friday is Jewelry and Sat is headbands. We got our second order I am pretty excited about that. AND we were selected to be included in our first Treasury page. The item included has gotten a few more views as well. I ordered some more biz cards so we have them for this weekend. Hopefully we can get out and post some flyers around too. I left work early im not feeling all that right. Didnt sleep right and its just too damn nice outside to be sitting in a cube. So off i go outside to read.

Ok just hear me out

2008-09-20T06:03:00.003-09:30

I found out yesterday that Ralph Nader made it on the ballot in Ohio. I went over to the web page to see what he had to say about the issues. http://www.votenader.org/issues/
Now I know what your going to say, I heard it last time. I just don't want to hear it. To be honest the last time I voted was for Nader when he ran in 2000. I was in college and I remember I made my environmental policy professor cry. Not from happiness, no she was dissapointed that I was going to be one of the ones that cost Gore the Presidency. I told her no your going to be one of the people that cost Nader the presidency. She shut up after that. So if your interested in finding out about what one of our candidates has to say check it out. If your satisfied with the other two choices good for you. My opinion is that the Presidential elections as they played out this year, remind me eerily of the School president elections in High school. Its all about who has the coolest posters and who has the most friends. Do you ever remember voting for your class president based on what they were going to do to improve your schools? I didn't think so. The only difference between the high school election and the presidential election is that now we focus on who has the coolest glasses and what or who is wearing lipstick. Deja vu?
Obviously I know he's not going to win, duh. But the point is that this guy stands for what I believe in more than any other candidate out there. I personally think he also has more experience than either one too. Plus I think its cool that at one point he pissed GM (thats General Motors) off enough that they had a hit out on him. Special interests? I think not.
Ok Im done but I guarantee you I will be the only one on our street with a Nader/Gonzalez sign in my yard this year, and I will be proud of it. I wouldn't have voted otherwise, seriously.

SALE SALE SALE SALE

2008-09-19T09:55:00.001-09:30

If your reading this you need to check out the Etsy shop.... see link to lower right. Moiraandalice.
GO NOW! Well just get there and take a look!

I got my package....

2008-09-15T15:17:00.002-09:30

Woooohooo. New shoes. This must be how the rich people feel all the time. Here take a look at my booty no not that one my other one. Well thats just going to have to wait. All the batteries are dead for the camera, and I cant find the charger. At least I have power, D-crazy is out and they dont expect it back on until end of the week. Stupid Ohio and its crazy ass weather. Let me go dig for some batteries.

Apples, carmel and cheesecake oh my

2008-09-13T15:12:00.002-09:30

I forgot to mention I baked this today
With help from Mike of course.
Oh my there has to be a place for Paula Dean in heaven if not for sure in hell. BUTTER.

Im back

2008-09-13T14:08:00.005-09:30

I forgot how much I really loved my hobby.
Locking myself in my room, turning on the music and just losing myself in the fabric and sound of the sewing machine. I missed the creative outlet. Yeah headbands are fun but come on, they're headbands. This is what I'm talking about....

I got Kathy's quilt done(the top) I still have to quilt it but its smaller so it wont take long.
This is a picture of the boarder fabric....

The quilt was actually a class I took on paper piecing. I wanted to learn the right way to do something instead of teaching myself. Instead of paper piecing we had to buy this preprinted muslin and use that. I guess its the same thing but I am not taking a class at that shop again.

So next on the list is finishing Mom and Dads....a block of the month called Garden Friends. I have 2 of 6 blocks done and everything is cut out, so just piecing.
Mikes Dads for the car club... a t-shirt quilt made from a bunch of car cruise t-shirts. I think they are going to raffle it off for something but who knows with those boys.
Bestests friends is on the list. Fabric: City Girl in blue Pattern: Spiderweb (unless I find another one)
I just got hit up to do another baby quilt for my boss. I made her a baseball one for her first Nephew and now there is another one coming 12/31 and it will be football.
Then I get to quilt them all. Thank goodness, I thought I was behind.

Say it with me Thank God Its Friday

2008-09-12T14:58:00.002-09:30

Ok so its friday I had my yummy dinner, baked potato and boca burger followed by ice cream sundae. Tomorrow I have to go to the dentist at 8:30 am. I chose the time for this appointment. Was I completely out of my mind? likely yes.
I got some kick ass fingerless gloves on etsy and ordered a custom matching hat.

Ordered my new shoes not made in china but in Germany with a couple tops from http://www.sierratradingpost.com/ and spent 139.ish but saved like 200. I saved more than I spent. When does that ever happen? Oh I just checked they went up I only paid 52.00 for them.

Mike and I ordered tickets to RAIN, a Beatles esk thing he wants to go see

and now i am heading to my room to finish his mom;s quilt, really. I mean it this time.

As Promised.

2008-09-08T14:51:00.005-09:30

Bestest friend commented the other day that when I get my shop she will be like a cat and bury herself in the fabrics. Strangest thing happened later that day....
and then...

So I took that as a good sign and set out the quilt that I am making for Mike's mom for her birthday in October. This is up on our dining room table box. Its been in the box for 2yrs now waiting for my kitchen to get done and I finally have found a use for it.
The areas that are open are where the boarder fabric will go. Her living room is beach themed (ewwww) but I think this will go the colors at least. The boarders will be a cream fabric with beige starfish. Very subtle.
I should have it all together tonight. Maybe. Prey for me.

I absolutely positively beyond any shadow of a doubt HATE MY JOB

2008-09-05T12:02:00.003-09:30

I know your not supposed to talk about your job on these things so all I am going to say is F my Fing F'd up JOB.
Done
Going up to quilt, the only thing on earth right now that will be able to calm me the F down.
Love to all pix to come.

OHMMMM

2008-09-04T14:23:00.003-09:30

Ok sorry about that little tantrum.
Its Thursday and I have gotten alot done. I will be going around town this weekend posting fliers to promote the shop. Coffee shops, library, senior center (do seniors use computers) whole foods and any other place I can think of that are reputable and have a community bulliten board.
I splurged tonight to celebrate our first sale (thanks hollylynn, there is a little something special in there too!). and got a large super veggi pizza. Veggies cheese and bread, life is good.
Like they say you always remember your first, and I cant thank you enough. I think were doing a little better every day. We have people that have marked us as a favorite and Alice's dragon bag and one necklace are favorites as well. The traffic will come and with it will be sales. I told my parents and they humored me, oh great job honey. Bite me! I am proud of myself damnit. This gives me more and more confidence that one day I will be able to have my own brick and mortar quilt shop. One day. In the meantime I am using this experience to learn all I can. I did go back to quilting Tuesday, i missed and my sewing machine must have been pissed at me for leaving her for the new multi stitch machine. She took 30 min to get up and going. But after that it was like old times. Now, I have 5 that need to be done by x-mas. But good thing is I have enough headbands made to keep the site updated. Therapy for dummy's just sew something.

Geez enough already

2008-08-27T15:45:00.001-09:30

ok I must be in some evil time warp. Its wednesday night, I have not gotten anything done and here i am worried about keeping this damn blog going. NO ONE READS THIS I SHOULDNT CARE!
grrrrrrrr

Oh TGIF

2008-08-22T13:25:00.002-09:30

Where did this week go. Seriously. I cant remember a thing I did. Kindof nice for a change. I am going to be working on bags. Big small whatever. I handed out biz cards to all the girls at work and hopefully we can start the word of mouth machine going. I was thinking of maybe posting flyers with the website on it at our local coffee houses, libraries, etc. I dropped one off at the salon where I used to get my hair done. Its been a while since I have been there.
I was debating to go to the local fundraiser for our humane society. I think we will. Morgan is getting a bit older but she loves her walks and is good with other dogs. They call it the Mutt Strut and they hold it at one of our local parks Pennitentiary Glenn. Well its more than a park really its http://www.lakemetroparks.com/select-park/penitentiaryglen.shtml (I dont know yet how to do those neat link things yet). I think the bags can wait.

Whew That was fun.

2008-08-18T14:49:00.004-09:30

hank goodness its over. Dont get me wrong I LOVED the festival and it was a great learning experience but I am really glad that now all I need to do is focus on the Etsy shop. Plus when BFF came into town we got some pix uploaded and we will be able to include the jewelry and a couple bags. All the sites say to post a little every day and you will get more hits. So I will be adding a necklace and bracelet every other day or so and one or two headbands a day. I have joined a couple webrings which hopefully will get our name and this blog out there and I joined Luna craft. So the next couple days will be learning how to use those to the best of my ability. Oh and I have to get some samples to my hair dresser so she can promote us as well.
The craft gods did bless me this weekend. At a previous local festival I happened upon an upholstry shop. I stopped and talked to the owner and showed him the bags I make out of old sample books. I gave him my name and # and asked the next time he was going to get rid of his books to give me a call and I would take them off his hands. He called last week and I went to pick up my goodies Saturday morning. HOLY CRAP 34 books, 30 f-ing 4.
So I feel that the gods are telling me to make bags. So since I have a plethera of headbands I figure a few bags wont hurt. But I am going to focus on building up the shop and getting that off the ground and do the bags when I get the time. Wish me luck.

Good news bad news

2008-08-11T17:53:00.003-09:30

Ok so good news is that the "festival" went great. I forgot the camera so nothing to post but this week I will remember it. I sold 7 headbands and made enough to cover my booth rental for both Fridays aka $40. Not bad for a virgin. I made sure that I had a biz card attached to each one and for those customers that "didn't bring any cash" I made sure I gave them one as well and pushed them towards the shop. This week I hope to have some more made up to bring along. I am learning what sells is what the kiddies want. So I dug out some old Disney fabric scraps and made up some with that. Whatever doesnt sell this Friday will be up on Etsy a few a day until they are all done. No sales on the shop but I only have 8 bands listed and I am not expecting much until after this weekend.
OK so bad news is our back yard has officially become the headquarters of mudwrestling annonomus. No seriously. We created a mess to fix a mess. How does that make sence? But after about 1500$ were pretty done with the drainage around the house. And we were lucky enough to get rain on Sunday just to make sure we got to test it out. The only thing left is to level it all out in the back and get some seed so we can hopefully get grass in before winter but I'm not holding my breath on that one. I wonder if there is a market for frozen mud wrestling. Rednecks will try anything once. Trust me.
So that was the vacation/weekend.
I am really excited to see the bestest friend this weekend. She has all kinds of goodies that she is working on bags, bookmarks jewelry. I am so glad were doing this. We havent been this close since college and I really look forward to our monthly pow wows. I have some fun things planned including but not limited to....Indian restaurant, a visit to THE most awesomest soap etc place on earth (http://www.daybreaklavenderfarm.com/store/) maybe a picnik at the beach to look for some more sea glass and hmmmm well thats none of your business.

And their off.....

2008-08-06T15:41:00.002-09:30

http://moiraandalice.etsy.com/
(Copy the link into your browser it gives you an error if you dont and you know how we hate errors)
Check it out, NOW.
Thank you for your support.
2 days till Lawnfield. 25 adult and 25 child headbands check, setup check, etc check.
I should have those business cards in my hot little hands tomorrow.
yipee!!!

The countdown begins

2008-08-05T14:32:00.008-09:30

Friday I have to be at Garfield's home (not the cat the president) at 2:30 to start setting up for the festival. Mike and I threw together a display table with 2 sawhorses, 2 folding doors and some empty fabric bolts. Sounds redneck but I spent $40 on the damn tent. And it looks nice surprisingly enough. I stopped into our local discount store and found a board with little plastic letters that I can use as a sign and for prices.

I also am adding some wristlet's into the mix. All the fabric was free and I only spent like 20 cents per zipper so thats as close to pure profit I am ever gonna see.

The business cards should be here tomorrow so tomorrow night I will be putting tags on everything. Then I have to upload pix onto the store so that (hopefully) when I sell things they will go to the shop and buy more wonderful things. Then I have to get envelopes to mail them and figure out how to print shipping labels of my computer. Oh and did I mention that this Thurs, Fri, Sat and Sunday were supposed to be digging out around the house and installing drainage pipe. Yeah good luck with all that. I hear you. Thats all right because next weekend the bestest friend is coming and she will be going with me and hawking some of her fine jewelry as well.
In the meantime I was thinking it would be great to come back as a dog.
An Appalachian Love Hound that is......

Headband Hernia

2008-07-31T16:44:00.007-09:30

Ok so I got a little burnt out today. Power and phones went out at work so I ended up working from home for half the day. Great for people that have air. Not so great if you don't. We have a window unit in the living room but it uses so much energy I just suffer through it and tell Mike that I turned it off once it cooled off outside. I do the bills anyway not like he's gonna know.
But I digress. I got bored with the headbands today. I have about 50 totally done about 25 each adult and kids. Done as in finished, completely, ready to go. So I thought I could either spend the rest of my time watching tv which I honestly havent done for about a week. Yeah maybe a 1/2 hour when he gets home but that doesnt count cuz Im half asleep anyway. Option 2 was read that damned book bestest friend lent me. Ive been doing that everynight and have about 1/4 of it done. Or Option 3 try something new.

Option 3 won. I figured because Little E made me such a special bag that I should return the favor. Plus I have been dying to try out this wristlet pattern I found. Now I couldnt find the right size zipper and all i had handy was one from a long forgotten something that I gave up on. So its a bit smaller than it normally would be but
I think she may like it.

Thats what little girls are made of....

2008-07-29T14:28:00.006-09:30

As promised pix of the bag that was made just for me by one amazingly special little girl.
The red guy on the right is Clifford the big red dog and his trusty sidekick whats her name.
The little blue guy on the right i think was John. You cant see it in the pix but she wrote a J right by his face. Kids just baffle me.

I went to bed early and stayed up till 11:30 reading that damn book. Thanks
Got the first proofs of our "Brand Image" made some tweeks and should have the final product by end of week. off to make some headbands

What a wonderful world

2008-07-28T16:00:00.001-09:30

Oh boy where to start
#1 first and foremost the Etsy shop is up we have a small child slave putting together the banner avatars etc as we speak.
It is Moiraandalice and we will be selling lovely jewelry, bags of all sorts, and headbands.
Best friend had masses successfully removed from lady hump.
I discovered that I heart Indian food. I didnt get any today and i think im exhibiting withdraw symptoms. Damn you friend for getting your boob cut open and getting all the good drugs as a reward.
Everything is right in the world.
While I was at pre mentioned best friends house I was made a wonderful gift.
Little E (aka best friends spawn not Dale Jr) made me the most awesomest bag ever. I would post pix but the camera mysteriously grew legs and ran away. I will do that as soon as I coax it out with some fresh batteries.
I am pretty tired though. Being around such a wonderful and loving family can tire us poor single folk out. So I am taking the book bestest friend gave me to read and hoping into bed early tonight after a long hot bath I think.
So pix tomorrow and more info on the shop.

Some where over the rainbow.....

2008-07-23T15:28:00.001-09:30

Coolest thing happened to me today.
On the way home all of a sudden it started to pour, then the sun came out behind me. Water and sun=rainbow. Weird thing was the spray that was coming up from my hood refracted the light so it actually looked like the rainbow started on my hood and went up into the sky. Told you pretty cool. I think I should see if my engine turned into gold.

GRRRRRR

2008-07-22T15:48:00.002-09:30

Stand by your man is ringing in my ears. No I'm not that much of a redneck. My boy did something not so genius today. He left the freezer open. In 80 degree weather (we don't have air). For 5 hours.
So when I got home from work and stopping to get his groceries that he requested so nicely that I get, I was not so pleased. That my friends is when you know its love. On your knees cleaning up melted Popsicle from the bottom of the freezer. All the while thinking that if he just would have eaten the damn Popsicle when he MADE me buy them from the store 8 months ago we wouldnt be in this position. All I can say is thank GOD for perscription happy pills. Ok enough personal stuff no more venting. I am heading upstairs to the sew cave. Holy headbands batman!
PS I got my "booth assignment" in the mail. #31 just for grins i looked 31 up. Wikipedia had year 31 as the year jesus was crucified. (great) There are 31 letters in the Russian alphabet. It is a Mersenne Prime (look it up), and Gallium is the element with atomic number 31. Not to mention ITS 13 BACKWARDS!!!! That makes up for the 4 leaf clover I found the other day. ah vell