Saturday, October 6, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
SLow poke
I have not been feeling the blog love lately and my posting has been not so regular. Many things in my life are changing in my life, though none of those includes where I live, but I am having a time getting a new routine down. I am only working 3.5 days a week, but it really kicks my butt. I work Sun, Mon, Tues from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on Fridays from 6a.m to 10 a.m. So it is not a hard schedule, and I am home in the afternoons. I like it. But it is seriously different than I have done for the last 10.5 years and I am adjusting. And I am convinced that I am going to sell my hous eint eh next couple of months, even though it is not currently listed anywhere for sale. So I need to get iot back into shape for selling. I have too much crap.
I am taking my freind Lisa for her chemo on Thursdays, and I can't tell you how it pleases me to be able to do that for her. SHe is exceptionally independent and it is hard for her to take help. So I am pleased to be able to take her. SHe has been driving herself the first 25 miles, and them my big sister takes her to rest of the way, another 60 miles or so. Sh just was able to get itmoved closer to home, so it is only 25 miles each way, but she shouln't drive it herself. Until this week, it was on a day I worked, but she had a little infection, and had to change her day, so I can now take her. She has no familial help, and no baby daddys to pick up an of the responsibility of caring for her 3 boys. ANd, she has breast cancer and can only work one day a week, so she has no money. But for now, she is sort of managing. I feel blessed to be in a position to drive her.
I am taking my freind Lisa for her chemo on Thursdays, and I can't tell you how it pleases me to be able to do that for her. SHe is exceptionally independent and it is hard for her to take help. So I am pleased to be able to take her. SHe has been driving herself the first 25 miles, and them my big sister takes her to rest of the way, another 60 miles or so. Sh just was able to get itmoved closer to home, so it is only 25 miles each way, but she shouln't drive it herself. Until this week, it was on a day I worked, but she had a little infection, and had to change her day, so I can now take her. She has no familial help, and no baby daddys to pick up an of the responsibility of caring for her 3 boys. ANd, she has breast cancer and can only work one day a week, so she has no money. But for now, she is sort of managing. I feel blessed to be in a position to drive her.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
A new Thing
I learned a new thing. I love to learn new crafty things, and this one is really fun. Though, honestly, I think that there is a limited amount of places to apply this new thing. It is punch needle embroidery. Think of rug hooking. This is similar in that it makes loops on the top side, but it is made by poking a needle with thread through the back to make the loops and it is much slower and smaller that rug hooking. But, it is so much fun. I like to make my own patterns, because then I feel ok if I decide to sell them. I am going to go to a rug hooker's retreat in October with my sister who is a hooker, and apparently, punchneedle is an acceptable thing for me to do there. SO that is what I am planning to do, along with some wool applique, which I also love to do.
I will share pictures of my makings in a few days.
I will share pictures of my makings in a few days.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
This Day
It is Tuesday, September 11. Six years ago today, our world and world view changed. I won't say it has changed my life in a tangible manner, as I live out in the boonies and no bomb is going to be aimed in my space. It has made me worry that we have not learned from it. It worries me that Bush, in his attention deficit way, gave up on searching for Bin Laden before he even really started. I worry that people forget the people who died, and no longer really care. And it makes me sad.
I think that probably not a day goes by that I don't think of 9/11 at some point in my day. I don't dwell on it, or worry about it, but I do thinking of it often and just remember. Right after it, Oprah had some survivors on it and then a year later, and there was a woman named Debbie or Debra, that literally could not function. She was in one of the towers and she barely escaped, with little injuries, thankfully, but she was so traumatized by it, she could not function on a day to day basis. I hope when the money was being doled out the the families of the dead, that someone was also thinking of those that lived and that they were also given financial assistance. Yes, they lived, but at what emotional cost. And I worry that on top of the memories and survivor's guilt and terror, they also have to suffer financially.
And so, on this day in our history, I try to remember the love and grief and sense of community and connectedness and everything else that happened in the near aftermath of that, and not see the horrid divisiveness, and meanness that has overtaken us and made the world hate us.
I think that probably not a day goes by that I don't think of 9/11 at some point in my day. I don't dwell on it, or worry about it, but I do thinking of it often and just remember. Right after it, Oprah had some survivors on it and then a year later, and there was a woman named Debbie or Debra, that literally could not function. She was in one of the towers and she barely escaped, with little injuries, thankfully, but she was so traumatized by it, she could not function on a day to day basis. I hope when the money was being doled out the the families of the dead, that someone was also thinking of those that lived and that they were also given financial assistance. Yes, they lived, but at what emotional cost. And I worry that on top of the memories and survivor's guilt and terror, they also have to suffer financially.
And so, on this day in our history, I try to remember the love and grief and sense of community and connectedness and everything else that happened in the near aftermath of that, and not see the horrid divisiveness, and meanness that has overtaken us and made the world hate us.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
September
I am blessed to live in the land of beautiful Septembers. No matter if we have had a bad weather summer or not, September is always nice. We wake up the day after Labor day and it is Fall. Crisp air, sunshine that is lovely and warm and not too hot. All the tourists are gone, and we have a month of lovely quiet and calm, and summer remnants. I am a sort of love the one you're with kind of girl and each season is my favorite at the time it is here. Winter not so much, but all 3 of the others I love the best as they come. Spring, I love the promise of warmth and longer days. Summer I love the promise of flowers and gardens and ice cream. And fall I love the coming crisp air and chilliness and coming of soup season. There is a tree in front of my store- er, the store formerly known as mine, that, come fall, just glows. It is a brilliant light yellowy gold and about every other year, I would swear it makes it's own light, it is so brilliant. The other years it is just pretty, but when it is amazing, oh!
As much as I have come to dislike the winters here, the first snow is always a beautiful thing. If it is a big snow, more than a couple of inches, it creates a lovely glow and a hush over everything and everyone acts a little different. We are all filled with a little bit of wonder. I don't mind the snow. But we tend to get non-stop gray and drizzle, and dark. SO the snow is a joy. People act differently and get all happy and helpy to each other.
I cannot lie. I would way rather be in my new town this winter, but if I am not, it will be ok, because I won't be at my store, either. My time will come and I will welcome it when it does. So, until then, I will be here, in the town I have been in for 17 years, where I know everyone and I will be fine.
As much as I have come to dislike the winters here, the first snow is always a beautiful thing. If it is a big snow, more than a couple of inches, it creates a lovely glow and a hush over everything and everyone acts a little different. We are all filled with a little bit of wonder. I don't mind the snow. But we tend to get non-stop gray and drizzle, and dark. SO the snow is a joy. People act differently and get all happy and helpy to each other.
I cannot lie. I would way rather be in my new town this winter, but if I am not, it will be ok, because I won't be at my store, either. My time will come and I will welcome it when it does. So, until then, I will be here, in the town I have been in for 17 years, where I know everyone and I will be fine.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Done
I am done. I am no longer the liquor lady, the diva of drink, the wine wonk. I am done. ANd I am now having a 4 day weekend from my other job. I only work 3 days a week there, for now. It will get more of my time in October and November, when the seasons change. But for now,3 day workweeks. And since I have been working 6 and 7 days this summer, let me just say- love it!!
I am sure come paycheck time, I will sing a different tune, but yea, whatever.
And we woke up the day after Labor day to rain. We have interesting seasons around here. Summer doens't really start, weather wise, till July 5, and Fall starts the day after Labor day. Seriously. Like clock work.
I have stockpile of things to do for the next few months, till I can sell the house. Lots of upholstery work. I bought a huge amount of polymer caly and all that goes with the, froma gilrfriend, because I saw some work by Laurie Mika, and it is luminous.
Enjoy.
I am sure come paycheck time, I will sing a different tune, but yea, whatever.
And we woke up the day after Labor day to rain. We have interesting seasons around here. Summer doens't really start, weather wise, till July 5, and Fall starts the day after Labor day. Seriously. Like clock work.
I have stockpile of things to do for the next few months, till I can sell the house. Lots of upholstery work. I bought a huge amount of polymer caly and all that goes with the, froma gilrfriend, because I saw some work by Laurie Mika, and it is luminous.
Enjoy.
Monday, August 27, 2007
3 days
I have 3 days of working at my store left before I am done. I work Weds, Thurs, and Fri of this week and then, all done. I am so thrilled to be done, yet also so scared of what is coming next. I am still trying to sell my house, and the listing ends on Friday, also, so it will be off the market for a little while. Then I may attempt to sell it on my own, and see what happens. I will lower the price significantly, and see what that brings. If it still doesn't sell, I will relist in the Spring. I need a house for sale break. It has been listed almost a year.
I have been gathering in anticipation of my new to come leisure time. I will only be working 4 days a week, instead of 6 or 7, and will have some time to craft. I recently got a book from the library called Mixed Media Mosaics, by a woman whole last name is Mika. She does the most wonderful things with polymer clay, so I am going to try some. A girlfriend decided she was getting out of polymer clay, and sold me 3 boxes of clay, canes, tools and everything I could possibly need to play. And I mean packing size boxes. BIG boxes.
I have purchased enough fabric to recover the entire county's chairs. I have projects. Now I just have to make some room so I can do some of them, and finish something.
I have been gathering in anticipation of my new to come leisure time. I will only be working 4 days a week, instead of 6 or 7, and will have some time to craft. I recently got a book from the library called Mixed Media Mosaics, by a woman whole last name is Mika. She does the most wonderful things with polymer clay, so I am going to try some. A girlfriend decided she was getting out of polymer clay, and sold me 3 boxes of clay, canes, tools and everything I could possibly need to play. And I mean packing size boxes. BIG boxes.
I have purchased enough fabric to recover the entire county's chairs. I have projects. Now I just have to make some room so I can do some of them, and finish something.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Bread Salad
Pissed Of Patricia asked about the salad. It is an old Italian salad, where they use leftover, dried bread. Here is how I make it.
Cut up a bunch of GOOD tomatoes in small pieces. If you don't have decent tomatoes, don't even bother, it will suck.
Put them in a pretty big bowl. Add some chopped sweet onion or green onions, and some salt, a teaspoon or so. Depending on how much you are making, put a few glugs of balsamic vinegar and more of olive oil. Give it a good stir. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes, and up to a few hours so that the tomatoes will release some of their juice. Add fresh or powdered garlic if you want and pepper if you want. I am not a pepperer.
Toast some sliced baguette in the oven, cut in cubes, till dry but not hard, 10 to 15 minutes. I don't usually season them, because I am not a strongly seasoned sort of person. Let them cool a little and while you wait, get some fresh basil (ONLY fresh) and cut it in a chiffonade- roll up a bunch of leaves together and make skinny little slices.
I like to add a decent amount of blue cheese- maybe 2 tablespoons if just for me, more as you serve more. If you have it, avocado is good in it. I also put craisins and sliced almonds, because my holy trinity of salads is blue cheese, craisins, and almonds. Sometimes I add a little cooked chicken, or crab, but it doesn't really need it. Stir it all up, and then add a lot of the croutons. I usually add a scant cup of croutons for me, and if it for a crowd, about 2 cups. You can also use store croutons and it is just fine. Stir it all up, and serve.
If you like the croutons at the end of a regular salad, with all the dressing and other stuff once the lettuce is gone, you will like this salad. It is the perfect hot weather food.
Variations-
Sometimes I add little fresh mozzarella balls, or chopped up brie. Other nuts work well.
The only absolute ingredients are good tomatoes, fresh basil, and croutons. From there you can build it any way you want.
Cut up a bunch of GOOD tomatoes in small pieces. If you don't have decent tomatoes, don't even bother, it will suck.
Put them in a pretty big bowl. Add some chopped sweet onion or green onions, and some salt, a teaspoon or so. Depending on how much you are making, put a few glugs of balsamic vinegar and more of olive oil. Give it a good stir. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes, and up to a few hours so that the tomatoes will release some of their juice. Add fresh or powdered garlic if you want and pepper if you want. I am not a pepperer.
Toast some sliced baguette in the oven, cut in cubes, till dry but not hard, 10 to 15 minutes. I don't usually season them, because I am not a strongly seasoned sort of person. Let them cool a little and while you wait, get some fresh basil (ONLY fresh) and cut it in a chiffonade- roll up a bunch of leaves together and make skinny little slices.
I like to add a decent amount of blue cheese- maybe 2 tablespoons if just for me, more as you serve more. If you have it, avocado is good in it. I also put craisins and sliced almonds, because my holy trinity of salads is blue cheese, craisins, and almonds. Sometimes I add a little cooked chicken, or crab, but it doesn't really need it. Stir it all up, and then add a lot of the croutons. I usually add a scant cup of croutons for me, and if it for a crowd, about 2 cups. You can also use store croutons and it is just fine. Stir it all up, and serve.
If you like the croutons at the end of a regular salad, with all the dressing and other stuff once the lettuce is gone, you will like this salad. It is the perfect hot weather food.
Variations-
Sometimes I add little fresh mozzarella balls, or chopped up brie. Other nuts work well.
The only absolute ingredients are good tomatoes, fresh basil, and croutons. From there you can build it any way you want.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
October
We continue to have October in August, and I would normally not mind it, but this year it is bothering me. Perhaps everything is bothering me this year, since I wish I were no longer living here. I have just been the biggest whiner in the world this year, and that really is not me. I am perky, and happy, and optimistic. Sometimes annoyingly so.
So, I have been madly buying up fabric to use on my chairs, after I am done at my store. My income will drop significantly after that, and I need to have projects. I have accumulated 10 chairs to re-upholster, either free from the side of the road, or a sister buys one for $2.00 at a rummage sale (that one is fabulous!!), or whatever. At any rate, I have 10 chairs, all different, and so they will each require different skills to be used. I fall in love with each of them just a tiny bit when I get them and really have to talk myself into being willing to let them go when they are done. One of them, which I am going to keep, is an Art Nouveau era club chair that is so wonderful, I can barely stand it. It is in great shape and if the current covering wasn't pink Naugahyde, I would have it in my house right now.
But I am working 7 days a week right now and that is not conducive to much beyond sleeping, eating, working and laundry. It will end soon and then my life will change so much. I have had my store for 10 years, and all my crafty crap was done there, never at home, and now I will be doing such things at home.
Well, I am off to a family picnic, so I much go cut up a million tomatoes for bread salad. Ask me how I make it someday and I will share.
So, I have been madly buying up fabric to use on my chairs, after I am done at my store. My income will drop significantly after that, and I need to have projects. I have accumulated 10 chairs to re-upholster, either free from the side of the road, or a sister buys one for $2.00 at a rummage sale (that one is fabulous!!), or whatever. At any rate, I have 10 chairs, all different, and so they will each require different skills to be used. I fall in love with each of them just a tiny bit when I get them and really have to talk myself into being willing to let them go when they are done. One of them, which I am going to keep, is an Art Nouveau era club chair that is so wonderful, I can barely stand it. It is in great shape and if the current covering wasn't pink Naugahyde, I would have it in my house right now.
But I am working 7 days a week right now and that is not conducive to much beyond sleeping, eating, working and laundry. It will end soon and then my life will change so much. I have had my store for 10 years, and all my crafty crap was done there, never at home, and now I will be doing such things at home.
Well, I am off to a family picnic, so I much go cut up a million tomatoes for bread salad. Ask me how I make it someday and I will share.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Summertime
Summer is winding down and there are also many changes coming my way. At the end of the month, I am finished with my store. I have had it for 10 and a half years, and it has been a good job for me, but I am done with it. Well, almost...in the middle of September, I am working for the new owner while she goes on a cruise. But then I am really done!! Really. And I feel great relief, but also great trepidation because my income will go down by a significant amount.
At the end of August me house will no longer be listed for sale. After a long and disappointing almost year of being for sale, and not having sold, we are taking a break. My sister keeps pushing me to rent it out, but the idea of having to come back and fix things after the renters leave is too much for me to contemplate.
I feel in such limbo and like I am not sure what I am doing right now. I had hoped to be moved on to new things in my life by now and starting in a new place and a new job. I can and will take this time to work on my projects and build up my skills and hopefully build up my clientele. I am the sort that makes a decision and acts on it. But this time I am not able to do that, through no fault or action of my own. I am, however, glad to no longer be listed for sale, as it am not so worried about keeping me house up. It has gotten out of hand, but I have hesitated to try to fix it, because that always involves a bigger mess. At least for me it does!
We have had a very odd summer here this year. we keep saying it is October in August- it has been 45 degrees at night, and cold enough in my house, that if it were winter, I would turn on the heat! But I refuse in summer. Except in the bathroom. I hate getting out of a shower into a cold room!
I hope your changes are all good.
At the end of August me house will no longer be listed for sale. After a long and disappointing almost year of being for sale, and not having sold, we are taking a break. My sister keeps pushing me to rent it out, but the idea of having to come back and fix things after the renters leave is too much for me to contemplate.
I feel in such limbo and like I am not sure what I am doing right now. I had hoped to be moved on to new things in my life by now and starting in a new place and a new job. I can and will take this time to work on my projects and build up my skills and hopefully build up my clientele. I am the sort that makes a decision and acts on it. But this time I am not able to do that, through no fault or action of my own. I am, however, glad to no longer be listed for sale, as it am not so worried about keeping me house up. It has gotten out of hand, but I have hesitated to try to fix it, because that always involves a bigger mess. At least for me it does!
We have had a very odd summer here this year. we keep saying it is October in August- it has been 45 degrees at night, and cold enough in my house, that if it were winter, I would turn on the heat! But I refuse in summer. Except in the bathroom. I hate getting out of a shower into a cold room!
I hope your changes are all good.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Copy cat
A friend of mine is doing a meme of the abc's of herself for the month. I am not doing that. I am just going to blather on about stuff. And I may do it alphabetically. Or not. Maybe I will just do the list. Instead of 101 things about me, but rather just a bunch of crap about me.
1- I collect carrots. Anything carrott-y. It is dumb, but there it is.
2- I have worked in much manufacturing and there are things I have made, for a living-
CBS Records
Stuffed Rabbits
Mens Suits
Arrow shirts
Socks
Electrical boxes
Ultrasound gel
3- I like making things
4- I don't do very well working for others. I think I am always right, and it apparently irritates them. Hmm. Go figure.
5- I don't like lemon.
6- I get a little freaked out if the handles of the serving spoons at the dining table are pointing at me.
7- I have been married twice and think it is probably a bad idea for me to ever contemplate it again. Apparently, I suck at it.
8- I pick men very poorly.
9- I am a knitter, but only manage to get excited about it every other year.
10- I am a crafter who does a ton of things, but never worry about getting fabulous at any of it.
11- I love to learn new things, but don't worry about doing it beyond the class. I just want the experience, and whatever I make in the class.
12- I own a liquor store and at the end of August, I will be leaving the business after 10 years.
13- I hate it but I think I will sort of miss it.
14- I have no kids, by choice, but I love other peoples kids, and always have at least one little kid friend and their momma.
15- I don't hold grudges.
16- I have way too much crap, and really would like to pare it down.
17- I have 2 dogs. I used to have 5 but my husband got 2 in the divorce, and I had 3. Then the 3rd one went back to her original family. So now I just have the 2 girls, Ruthie and Naomi. I love them very much.
18- I won't have more dogs in the future. At least for a while. They are an anchor, and make it more difficult to go places.
19- I am very outgoing and gregarious, but it is hard for me to make friends. I don't have much social confidence.
20-I am a crappy housekeeper. I don't really care.
21-I have made peace with being a crappy housekeeper. I get around it.
22- I watch so many Law & Order reruns, I can almost recite them.
23- I like my tv. It is a failing, I know, but I do.
24- I battle with my weight on a daily basis, but if, when I die, the worst they can say about me is that I was overweight, I am good with that.
1- I collect carrots. Anything carrott-y. It is dumb, but there it is.
2- I have worked in much manufacturing and there are things I have made, for a living-
CBS Records
Stuffed Rabbits
Mens Suits
Arrow shirts
Socks
Electrical boxes
Ultrasound gel
3- I like making things
4- I don't do very well working for others. I think I am always right, and it apparently irritates them. Hmm. Go figure.
5- I don't like lemon.
6- I get a little freaked out if the handles of the serving spoons at the dining table are pointing at me.
7- I have been married twice and think it is probably a bad idea for me to ever contemplate it again. Apparently, I suck at it.
8- I pick men very poorly.
9- I am a knitter, but only manage to get excited about it every other year.
10- I am a crafter who does a ton of things, but never worry about getting fabulous at any of it.
11- I love to learn new things, but don't worry about doing it beyond the class. I just want the experience, and whatever I make in the class.
12- I own a liquor store and at the end of August, I will be leaving the business after 10 years.
13- I hate it but I think I will sort of miss it.
14- I have no kids, by choice, but I love other peoples kids, and always have at least one little kid friend and their momma.
15- I don't hold grudges.
16- I have way too much crap, and really would like to pare it down.
17- I have 2 dogs. I used to have 5 but my husband got 2 in the divorce, and I had 3. Then the 3rd one went back to her original family. So now I just have the 2 girls, Ruthie and Naomi. I love them very much.
18- I won't have more dogs in the future. At least for a while. They are an anchor, and make it more difficult to go places.
19- I am very outgoing and gregarious, but it is hard for me to make friends. I don't have much social confidence.
20-I am a crappy housekeeper. I don't really care.
21-I have made peace with being a crappy housekeeper. I get around it.
22- I watch so many Law & Order reruns, I can almost recite them.
23- I like my tv. It is a failing, I know, but I do.
24- I battle with my weight on a daily basis, but if, when I die, the worst they can say about me is that I was overweight, I am good with that.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Green, green, green
I find it so interesting that suddenly, green is in. None of this stuff is new. Some people have been green forever. Some have worried about too much crap and straining the planet for most of their adult lives. I do well in some areas, not so well in others. I probably use less that a roll of paper towels in a year, but I do use paper plates more than I should. I hate doing dishes. But I hate throwing away paper towels and napkins, so I use cloth napkins and cleaning towels. I keep my house reasonable cool in winter, because I was raised by a tightwad dad and now that I pay the electric bill, it makes a lot of sense! I recycle dutifully. I use my library for most of my reading, though I do purchase a lot of books- reference types- as opposed to novels. I read a lot of magazines, but I try to pass them on to friends so many people read them before they go to the recycle place. I have some reusable grocery bags, but I forget to take them with me a lot. I try where I can, and when I can do better, I do.
I was reading a green blog, and there was a question of whether it was more important to eat locally, or to buy from impoverished 3rd world citizens who grow what I need. I believe it is my obligation to patronise my local purveyors of food. I believe we have an obligation to the world, but I believe our first obligation is to our own people. We send aid everywhere, but the people who lived through Katrina are still in need of help. Our government has not helped them as much as they are helping citizens of Iraq. I agree we made the mess in Iraq and have a responsibility there, but I believe we have more of a responsibility to our own people. So, I do not donate to foreign aid organizations. I donate to organizations that help locally, or nationally. I feel that is my responsibility.
I try not to eat very much meat, especially beef, because of the massive amounts of resources that going into producing a pound of beef,and the massive amounts of manure that are produced by the cows and then have to be held in a massive lagoon so it doesn't contaminate our water. I have decided that I can eat what I really want, but I should eat the best quality, organic food available. Which can be much tastier. So I win. Either way.
So we all do what we can, and try not to judge people who make different decisions than we make. And perhaps between all of us, it will do some good.
I was reading a green blog, and there was a question of whether it was more important to eat locally, or to buy from impoverished 3rd world citizens who grow what I need. I believe it is my obligation to patronise my local purveyors of food. I believe we have an obligation to the world, but I believe our first obligation is to our own people. We send aid everywhere, but the people who lived through Katrina are still in need of help. Our government has not helped them as much as they are helping citizens of Iraq. I agree we made the mess in Iraq and have a responsibility there, but I believe we have more of a responsibility to our own people. So, I do not donate to foreign aid organizations. I donate to organizations that help locally, or nationally. I feel that is my responsibility.
I try not to eat very much meat, especially beef, because of the massive amounts of resources that going into producing a pound of beef,and the massive amounts of manure that are produced by the cows and then have to be held in a massive lagoon so it doesn't contaminate our water. I have decided that I can eat what I really want, but I should eat the best quality, organic food available. Which can be much tastier. So I win. Either way.
So we all do what we can, and try not to judge people who make different decisions than we make. And perhaps between all of us, it will do some good.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
July is waning
Oh, the summer has gone so quickly, and we have not had great weather. It is nice now, but has been cold for the past couple of weeks. And I feel like I have not accomplished anything. Which really doesn't bother me that much, usually, but I had hoped to get some things done. I have enjoyed it, though. I am now a short timer at my store. I am done there at the end of August, and then it will be scary financially, but otherwise it will be good. I am currently working 6 days a week and I am tired. That is just till I am done with the store.
I have acquired yet another chair to reupholster and hopefully sell. I just bought a fabulous new (old) sewing machine that is heavy duty, for upholstering, and it is the most glorious 60's aqua color. It has to work, yes, but it has to look cool, too. It is all about the cool!
I decided I needed to address a few women no-no's. Just because. A disclaimer. I am way overweight, so I am not being a bitch here. Well, maybe I am, but I am in the same weight class.
1- Girls, if you are fat, why would you ever thing spandex, stretchy pants are a good idea??? Just say no!
2 - if you are 5 pounds overweight (please!) quit going on about how fat you are and how you just can't stand it and blah, blah, blah. It gets very old.
3- when you talk about some "really fat girl.guy/whatever/ at the store" your real self is showing and you are talking about me and all your overweight friends. Just don't be nasty. My mother is constantly talking a bout fat stupid people with such hate and contempt and can't figure out why it makes me feel bad. It is because she hates those people, and a part of her hates me.
4- Meanness is not a good thing. It is not cute, or attractive or edgy. It is just mean.
5- Trust yourself. Believe in your choices and beliefs. Don't rely on others to form your opinions. If you feel good about whatever it is, and you can live with your decisions, then go with it. Decide what you believe, and don't think you aren't smart enough to form an opinion. You are.
6- Being helpless is stupid. Learn to count on yourself to take care of yourself. You can be married and never have to rely on only yourself, but you will know you can take care of yourself. Most women will be single for a while and not being secure in your abilities could influence a choice to stay in a bad situation. If you are helpless and pathetic, other people will make fun of you.
7- Not being aware of your financial situation is really stupid. You need to take care of yourself and your future and you will never be sorry if you have money in the bank. And you need to start thinking of money for retire the first day you take a job. Starting young makes it way easier. Most of us hit 40 and then think "Oh my god how will we retire and not be a bag lady." It is scary. Start early. It is very empowering to have smart money habits.
8- Have a hobby beside shopping. Surely there is something you are interested whether a crafty hobby or a political action hobby or reading. Do something beside shop.
9- just try not to be shallow over all. It isn't all about looks, or money or the latest cell phone/car/ outfit. It is about the content of your character and what you leave in your wake.
I have acquired yet another chair to reupholster and hopefully sell. I just bought a fabulous new (old) sewing machine that is heavy duty, for upholstering, and it is the most glorious 60's aqua color. It has to work, yes, but it has to look cool, too. It is all about the cool!
I decided I needed to address a few women no-no's. Just because. A disclaimer. I am way overweight, so I am not being a bitch here. Well, maybe I am, but I am in the same weight class.
1- Girls, if you are fat, why would you ever thing spandex, stretchy pants are a good idea??? Just say no!
2 - if you are 5 pounds overweight (please!) quit going on about how fat you are and how you just can't stand it and blah, blah, blah. It gets very old.
3- when you talk about some "really fat girl.guy/whatever/ at the store" your real self is showing and you are talking about me and all your overweight friends. Just don't be nasty. My mother is constantly talking a bout fat stupid people with such hate and contempt and can't figure out why it makes me feel bad. It is because she hates those people, and a part of her hates me.
4- Meanness is not a good thing. It is not cute, or attractive or edgy. It is just mean.
5- Trust yourself. Believe in your choices and beliefs. Don't rely on others to form your opinions. If you feel good about whatever it is, and you can live with your decisions, then go with it. Decide what you believe, and don't think you aren't smart enough to form an opinion. You are.
6- Being helpless is stupid. Learn to count on yourself to take care of yourself. You can be married and never have to rely on only yourself, but you will know you can take care of yourself. Most women will be single for a while and not being secure in your abilities could influence a choice to stay in a bad situation. If you are helpless and pathetic, other people will make fun of you.
7- Not being aware of your financial situation is really stupid. You need to take care of yourself and your future and you will never be sorry if you have money in the bank. And you need to start thinking of money for retire the first day you take a job. Starting young makes it way easier. Most of us hit 40 and then think "Oh my god how will we retire and not be a bag lady." It is scary. Start early. It is very empowering to have smart money habits.
8- Have a hobby beside shopping. Surely there is something you are interested whether a crafty hobby or a political action hobby or reading. Do something beside shop.
9- just try not to be shallow over all. It isn't all about looks, or money or the latest cell phone/car/ outfit. It is about the content of your character and what you leave in your wake.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Things men should not do
I was responding to a post of Sue Woo and realized men are just stupid. I love men, but they are not the brightest lights on the Christmas tree sometimes. just sayin'. And as I thought about it, I just kept thinking of things, so here goes.
1.- Don't kill your wife. Everyone will know you did it and you will go to jail. Is that REALLY better than a divorce??
2.- Don't wear spandex. Really. It is just not a good look on anyone, and it is either a good advertisement for your wares, or a warning of your shortcomings. At any rate, I just don't want to see it. ( along those same lines, who told fat girls that spandex was a good look???)
3.- don't eat like a pig, then say how you are just not attracted to fat girls. That matchmaker show had a huge guy on there, and he was giving her his opinion, and she said " Why are men 'big' but women are fat?" Some of us fat girls don't mind a little pudge on our men, but unless you are Matt McConaughy, don't be so damn picky.
4.- Don't fart in public. Especially in a store. It isn't cute, or funny. It is just gross, and rude and it just makes you look like a redneck. Except a lot of the rednecks I know are way more polite. Same with belching.
5.- Your so called natural smell is not that sexy to anyone but your girlfriend, and that is pretty iffy. It is not unmanly to wear deodorant. The very best smell on a man is soap. Not buckets of perfume. Yes, it is a fine line to walk, but if you want to get laid, you will walk it.
6.- Don't wear those cutoffs or track shorts you had when you were twenty. They are too damn short and you look like a dork, and I don't want to see your treasures. Especially don't wear them with knee high athletic socks and work boots.
7.- Brush your teeth.
8.-If you are advertising online for a woman, don't take off your shirt and flex for the camera. Don't take a picture of yourself in the shower. Don't think you are a sexpot. You just look vain, and like you are trolling for sex, and most women will just run the other way. Most women don't want to go out with a man who is prettier or who thinks he is prettier than we are. And if you are that hot, why are you advertising???
9.- When you only look at women who are 20 years younger than you, you just seem sad. Are you afraid of grown ups? Do you think you are still that young looking? Do you not care about actually having a conversation with a woman? She is just going to make you feel older.
10.- Don't tell racist or sexist jokes. It is never sexy or funny or anything you think it is. It is sad, pathetic and ignorant, and makes you look like a pig. And people will talk about you behind your back and not invite you to nice parties. You are only fit for keggers. If that.
11.- Women, in general, aren't turned off by you being bald. But that toupee is awful, and we will make fun of it.
12.- Don't whine about everyone hating you and your job is awful, and blah blah blah. Be happy and enjoy your life and have fun. Way more sexy, and just plain nicer to be around, for both men and women.
13.- Understand that women are not your employees, or your servant, and you are a big boy and can turn on the washer, dryer, dishwasher and so on. Chances are, if you are spending much time with a woman, you claim to love her, or at least like her a lot, and treat her at least as well as you treat your own friends. Help her with chores. Way more sexy than thrusting your hips and doing that little thing with your tongue that you think is sexy. And don't even get me started on the strip tease.
14.- Don't proclaim to love someone, and then constantly tell them everything they are doing wrong. Just because it isn't your way, doesn't make it wrong. If you love them, love them. It shouldn't be conditional on their clothing choices or housecleaning skills.
15.- Clean your house. Yea, I hate it, too, but I pay a very nice woman to come in and make it all pretty for me. For less that what you would probably spend on beer. So worth it.
Yes, I am fully aware that women do things, too, but I am a woman and today I am picking on men. Because there is just so much to pick on!
1.- Don't kill your wife. Everyone will know you did it and you will go to jail. Is that REALLY better than a divorce??
2.- Don't wear spandex. Really. It is just not a good look on anyone, and it is either a good advertisement for your wares, or a warning of your shortcomings. At any rate, I just don't want to see it. ( along those same lines, who told fat girls that spandex was a good look???)
3.- don't eat like a pig, then say how you are just not attracted to fat girls. That matchmaker show had a huge guy on there, and he was giving her his opinion, and she said " Why are men 'big' but women are fat?" Some of us fat girls don't mind a little pudge on our men, but unless you are Matt McConaughy, don't be so damn picky.
4.- Don't fart in public. Especially in a store. It isn't cute, or funny. It is just gross, and rude and it just makes you look like a redneck. Except a lot of the rednecks I know are way more polite. Same with belching.
5.- Your so called natural smell is not that sexy to anyone but your girlfriend, and that is pretty iffy. It is not unmanly to wear deodorant. The very best smell on a man is soap. Not buckets of perfume. Yes, it is a fine line to walk, but if you want to get laid, you will walk it.
6.- Don't wear those cutoffs or track shorts you had when you were twenty. They are too damn short and you look like a dork, and I don't want to see your treasures. Especially don't wear them with knee high athletic socks and work boots.
7.- Brush your teeth.
8.-If you are advertising online for a woman, don't take off your shirt and flex for the camera. Don't take a picture of yourself in the shower. Don't think you are a sexpot. You just look vain, and like you are trolling for sex, and most women will just run the other way. Most women don't want to go out with a man who is prettier or who thinks he is prettier than we are. And if you are that hot, why are you advertising???
9.- When you only look at women who are 20 years younger than you, you just seem sad. Are you afraid of grown ups? Do you think you are still that young looking? Do you not care about actually having a conversation with a woman? She is just going to make you feel older.
10.- Don't tell racist or sexist jokes. It is never sexy or funny or anything you think it is. It is sad, pathetic and ignorant, and makes you look like a pig. And people will talk about you behind your back and not invite you to nice parties. You are only fit for keggers. If that.
11.- Women, in general, aren't turned off by you being bald. But that toupee is awful, and we will make fun of it.
12.- Don't whine about everyone hating you and your job is awful, and blah blah blah. Be happy and enjoy your life and have fun. Way more sexy, and just plain nicer to be around, for both men and women.
13.- Understand that women are not your employees, or your servant, and you are a big boy and can turn on the washer, dryer, dishwasher and so on. Chances are, if you are spending much time with a woman, you claim to love her, or at least like her a lot, and treat her at least as well as you treat your own friends. Help her with chores. Way more sexy than thrusting your hips and doing that little thing with your tongue that you think is sexy. And don't even get me started on the strip tease.
14.- Don't proclaim to love someone, and then constantly tell them everything they are doing wrong. Just because it isn't your way, doesn't make it wrong. If you love them, love them. It shouldn't be conditional on their clothing choices or housecleaning skills.
15.- Clean your house. Yea, I hate it, too, but I pay a very nice woman to come in and make it all pretty for me. For less that what you would probably spend on beer. So worth it.
Yes, I am fully aware that women do things, too, but I am a woman and today I am picking on men. Because there is just so much to pick on!
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Slow Sunday
It has been a nice, quiet Sunday at my house. I have sewn much of the day. I finished some flannel baby wipes. I made some cleaning cloths for the woman who cleans my house, because she admired some flannels wipes I had made. I finished a couple of fabric grocery bags, and I made potato salad. I also finished 2 fabric chevron banners for a couple of little girls. They are very cute, and I just need to put their names on them. I spend the bulk of my Sundays trying not to nap. I am not usually a napper, but on Sundays, my only day off, I absolutely cannot nap, as I have to get up at 5 in the morning for my second job. If I nap, then I can't sleep well and I am not as perky as I should be. But it works out.
I spend so much of my life daydreaming about paint and fabric and decorating and the perfect little house. I sometimes wonder if I am just spinning my wheels. There is so much I want to do and so much I want my life to be, but I wonder if I am going to spend my whole life wishing.
In the past, when I have had a bad day or whatever, I have thought, if I just move to some perfect little town of the moment, that my life will be wonderful, I will have a job I love, and friends and a social group and my flowers will be gorgeous and I will eat right. I have moved enough times to know that it doesn't usually turn out that way. No matter where I go, I am still the same person. It is still hard for me to meet and make new friends, I still like staying home and I still don't eat right. Only the scenery changes. The move I am currently working toward is actually based on real things. I am tired of my dark gray mountain winters, non-stop rain and chill. I want to be in the same town as my sister. We have never lived in the same town. Where I am going is warmer and sunnier and doesn't rain as much. I currently live out in the sticks and have to drive 30 miles to anything, and the new place will be an actual town. I will be able to walk anywhere and there is a bookstore, yarn store, fabric store, grocery store, library, the water and Starbucks. There is really everything there, but those are my only necessities. If I really need beyond that, it is 15 minutes away. I know that my life will be somewhat different, just because I will be in a town and more will be possible.
I spend so much of my life daydreaming about paint and fabric and decorating and the perfect little house. I sometimes wonder if I am just spinning my wheels. There is so much I want to do and so much I want my life to be, but I wonder if I am going to spend my whole life wishing.
In the past, when I have had a bad day or whatever, I have thought, if I just move to some perfect little town of the moment, that my life will be wonderful, I will have a job I love, and friends and a social group and my flowers will be gorgeous and I will eat right. I have moved enough times to know that it doesn't usually turn out that way. No matter where I go, I am still the same person. It is still hard for me to meet and make new friends, I still like staying home and I still don't eat right. Only the scenery changes. The move I am currently working toward is actually based on real things. I am tired of my dark gray mountain winters, non-stop rain and chill. I want to be in the same town as my sister. We have never lived in the same town. Where I am going is warmer and sunnier and doesn't rain as much. I currently live out in the sticks and have to drive 30 miles to anything, and the new place will be an actual town. I will be able to walk anywhere and there is a bookstore, yarn store, fabric store, grocery store, library, the water and Starbucks. There is really everything there, but those are my only necessities. If I really need beyond that, it is 15 minutes away. I know that my life will be somewhat different, just because I will be in a town and more will be possible.
Friday, July 13, 2007
SO much fodder
Oh, the things that I have to consider. Chertoff's gut. Well, my gut tells me there will be more attacks, too, but because Bush and his pals have made us so much less safe. They ignore the US and have so many other axis of evil targets. I don't believe in living in fear, and I don't, but I do believe that we are less safe, through the bumbling of this administration.
ANd then there is the whole health care issue.
okay that is just too depressing to think about, so I am just going to leave and go to work.
ANd then there is the whole health care issue.
okay that is just too depressing to think about, so I am just going to leave and go to work.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
July 4th
I would like to post about how much I love my country and how proud I am of the way we behave and the way our country is going. I do love my country, fiercely, but I am not proud of the way our government has treated the world. I am not proud of the "U.S. knows all the answers to make your country perfect" attitude we seem to have right now.
I would like to see a leader who can lift us up and give us hope and I believe Obama can do that for us. I think he can work with both parties and make things work. I believe he can mend our relations with the rest of the world. I want so badly to feel proud of my country again. I want to feel like we are good people again, instead of the playground bullies that make our own rules and change the rules to suit us, and break those rules when applying them to others. I want to feel like I can believe what my president is telling me, rather than assuming he is never telling us the truth. I want to feel like our leaders have personal integrity. For all the crap the right gave Clinton about that same issue, they have not shown us anything different, adn in fact, mostly worse. He lied about getting a blow job. Bush has lied about everything it seems. And I fear he is going to lie us into Iran, too. The only reasons those countries are a threat to us is that we have threatened them.
And so, on this Independence Day, I hope that our future holds a return to what once made us good and honorable. I hope it hold out hope for a better world and making hte world better, instead of scarier. We live in a culture of fear and the boogeyman, and we created so much of that and brought it on ourselves. And, no, I am not talking about 9/11. I am talking about post 9/11 events. Iraq, bombings, threats, Iran. I believe we created those situations by our actions. I do support the continued search for Bin Laden, but our president doesn't consider him to be of any importance. we have lost our way, and I hope we can find it again.
Blessings to you and yours on this day, and my you find peace in your life.
I would like to see a leader who can lift us up and give us hope and I believe Obama can do that for us. I think he can work with both parties and make things work. I believe he can mend our relations with the rest of the world. I want so badly to feel proud of my country again. I want to feel like we are good people again, instead of the playground bullies that make our own rules and change the rules to suit us, and break those rules when applying them to others. I want to feel like I can believe what my president is telling me, rather than assuming he is never telling us the truth. I want to feel like our leaders have personal integrity. For all the crap the right gave Clinton about that same issue, they have not shown us anything different, adn in fact, mostly worse. He lied about getting a blow job. Bush has lied about everything it seems. And I fear he is going to lie us into Iran, too. The only reasons those countries are a threat to us is that we have threatened them.
And so, on this Independence Day, I hope that our future holds a return to what once made us good and honorable. I hope it hold out hope for a better world and making hte world better, instead of scarier. We live in a culture of fear and the boogeyman, and we created so much of that and brought it on ourselves. And, no, I am not talking about 9/11. I am talking about post 9/11 events. Iraq, bombings, threats, Iran. I believe we created those situations by our actions. I do support the continued search for Bin Laden, but our president doesn't consider him to be of any importance. we have lost our way, and I hope we can find it again.
Blessings to you and yours on this day, and my you find peace in your life.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
July 1
We have not had summer yet, and, after a while it gets very old! But the sun is out today and perhaps summer is here. We always jokingly say summer starts on July 5. And that is really quite true. And, since we have not had summer, we haven't had a home sales period. I am still hopefull, but not expecting to sell this year. But cross your fingers for me anyway. It can't hurt.
I am being very wishy washy today and I hate when I am like that. I sort of want to go to town, so I don't have to go tomorrow after working all day. But it will be hot and crowded, and I may do better to stay here and just whine a little! I have things to do here, but frankly, when you work 6 days a week, it is hard to work up any umph for doing housework. But if I nap, I won't sleep tonight, and that is bad, too. Whine, whine, whine.
I am glad no one reads this but me.
I am being very wishy washy today and I hate when I am like that. I sort of want to go to town, so I don't have to go tomorrow after working all day. But it will be hot and crowded, and I may do better to stay here and just whine a little! I have things to do here, but frankly, when you work 6 days a week, it is hard to work up any umph for doing housework. But if I nap, I won't sleep tonight, and that is bad, too. Whine, whine, whine.
I am glad no one reads this but me.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Whoops
No matter how much I intend differently, I just don't seem to post as often as I would like. Oh, well.
We had our benefit for my friend with breast cancer and in our little tiny area, we raised over $10,000 dollars. I am very proud of us. It is amazing what 4 determined women can do when we set our minds to it. But then we learned our friends cancer has spread to her liver. My sister is my cancer consultant, and she said that the liver is one of the easiest to deal with. I always thought it was one of the hardest to deal with. I hope I am wrong and big sis is right. So I am sad and concerned today, and just want to fix it.
My mosaic sold well to a friend who didn't realize I had made it. He was so thrilled with it. We had so many wonderful donations and it was so wonderful.
We had our benefit for my friend with breast cancer and in our little tiny area, we raised over $10,000 dollars. I am very proud of us. It is amazing what 4 determined women can do when we set our minds to it. But then we learned our friends cancer has spread to her liver. My sister is my cancer consultant, and she said that the liver is one of the easiest to deal with. I always thought it was one of the hardest to deal with. I hope I am wrong and big sis is right. So I am sad and concerned today, and just want to fix it.
My mosaic sold well to a friend who didn't realize I had made it. He was so thrilled with it. We had so many wonderful donations and it was so wonderful.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
A fine new day
There are many things in my life that don't make me happy, but I am a pretty happy person, overall. I am grateful for the calm in my life and what I have. I have options and I have a family that would step up and offer help if I needed it. Well, a couple of them would. One of my sisters is my cheerleader and gives me great encouragement and support. I wear a necklace that says "Happiness is a choice" and I truly believe that. I used to believe we were guided by our fate and we didn't really get a choice. I now understand that we can't necessarily control our feelings, but we can control how we react to our emotions. We may not choose who we fall in love with, but we can control how we react to that. We can choose or not to engage in that love or acknowledge its' deficits and choose not to act on it and save alot of pain. That was such a revelation for me.
And now for a little something different- something I made for an auction-well, it is at the top of the page. I haven't mastered how to put things lower in the post. Little moves, people, little moves!
Friday, June 8, 2007
Just crap
The sun is out and my sanity has returned with it. I feel like I am in such limbo and have for so long. I have been trying to sell my house and move for a year now, and it still hasn't happened. I am frustrated and losing my perky positive attitude. I gave notice at my job, so August 31 will be my last day at my store. I am working 2 days a week at another store and will add 2 days, for a total of 4, if my house doesn't sell by then, so I won't fall apart, but it would still be better to sell and go. At times, I question the wisdom of giving notice, but I am so sick of liquor and those that purchase too much of it. SO, despite the unknown aspect of it, I am not very sorry I did it. I will also make an area to work on some upholstery jobs to add some extra income till I can get moved and actually set up a real shop. It will work out, but I like to know what is going to happen.
I made this plan to sell and move last year in February, and so it feels like that has been my only focus for over a year, and really, I am tired. Tired of uncertainty. SO much of my stuff is in a storage unit in the new town, so I go to look for something and it isn't here. And occasionally, I go buy it again, since I need it, dammit!
I am ready for it to be done.
I made this plan to sell and move last year in February, and so it feels like that has been my only focus for over a year, and really, I am tired. Tired of uncertainty. SO much of my stuff is in a storage unit in the new town, so I go to look for something and it isn't here. And occasionally, I go buy it again, since I need it, dammit!
I am ready for it to be done.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Tagged
I have been tagged by Sue Woo. I am to tell you my 3 favorite books. I am a voracious reader and there are tons to choose from. I am not sure I can limit it to 3, though.
My very, very, very favorite is Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver. I was not a huge fan of The Bean Trees or Pigs in Heaven, but Animal Dreams really spoke to me. I was really able to feel the story and Cosima's feeling of not belonging. Both of my sisters disliked it and one of them had a whole spiel about the noble savage and such nonsense. I have told people that I just love it and want to carry it around with me and have it be my friend. Dorks r us.
My next favorite is The Bone People. It is hard to say it is a favorite because that implies that I liked it. It was not something you like, but it was compelling, and haunting and horrific and very, very powerful. It haunted me for months and that is not an exaggeration.
I also really loved and felt Refuge by Terry Tempest Williams. She weaves together a story in a way that I have never seen, or read, done before and it is such a lovely, touching book. It is not a novel- more of an accounting of her family history and an environmental issue. Lovely, lovely book.
And because I can't really stop at just 3, I will add some more. I adore Elizabeth Berg, starting with Talk Before Sleep, which is one of the loveliest stories of women's friendship I have every read. It touched me very deeply. If you want to laugh your ass off, read Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. They are technically mysteries, but that is sort of incidental. They are laugh out loud funny. And a light, pretty fast read. Unfortunately, her romance series is nowhere near as funny. Don't bother with them. I will admit that in the last 4 years, following a divorce, I have had a harder time reading fiction. I read lots of political stuff, and figure out how to retire without being a bag lady, when you only make $10 an hour, and are self employed stuff and the standard post divorce reading list. I am starting to read again, now and I am really thrilled.
If you are reading this, consider yourself tagged.
My very, very, very favorite is Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver. I was not a huge fan of The Bean Trees or Pigs in Heaven, but Animal Dreams really spoke to me. I was really able to feel the story and Cosima's feeling of not belonging. Both of my sisters disliked it and one of them had a whole spiel about the noble savage and such nonsense. I have told people that I just love it and want to carry it around with me and have it be my friend. Dorks r us.
My next favorite is The Bone People. It is hard to say it is a favorite because that implies that I liked it. It was not something you like, but it was compelling, and haunting and horrific and very, very powerful. It haunted me for months and that is not an exaggeration.
I also really loved and felt Refuge by Terry Tempest Williams. She weaves together a story in a way that I have never seen, or read, done before and it is such a lovely, touching book. It is not a novel- more of an accounting of her family history and an environmental issue. Lovely, lovely book.
And because I can't really stop at just 3, I will add some more. I adore Elizabeth Berg, starting with Talk Before Sleep, which is one of the loveliest stories of women's friendship I have every read. It touched me very deeply. If you want to laugh your ass off, read Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. They are technically mysteries, but that is sort of incidental. They are laugh out loud funny. And a light, pretty fast read. Unfortunately, her romance series is nowhere near as funny. Don't bother with them. I will admit that in the last 4 years, following a divorce, I have had a harder time reading fiction. I read lots of political stuff, and figure out how to retire without being a bag lady, when you only make $10 an hour, and are self employed stuff and the standard post divorce reading list. I am starting to read again, now and I am really thrilled.
If you are reading this, consider yourself tagged.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Theories
I did a blog last year, and enjoyed, but I am a blog novice and it took me a year just to figure out how to put a photo on it. I deleted it and my sister and I were going to do one together, but new Blogger sucks, so that ended too. But I really missed the writing and mind wandering I do when I write, so I started a new one, and theoretically, I will show you things that I make. But the fact is, I don't get a lot of things made that I think are blog-worthy. I am trying so hard to sell my house and so much of my stuff in is a storage unit in the new town, and I really miss it, but just cannot go get it and bring it home and clutter up my house again.
SO, I made a mosaic for a benefit auction that a bunch of friends are putting on for a girlfriend with breast cancer. I will show that. I love it. And I make paper things- paper garlands, party favors, silliness.
I have 2 older sisters who have had some health issues- one had heart bypass a couple of years ago, and one had colon cancer, and has been well for 4 years. They both have high cholesterol, and have been fussing at me to go get my fluids checked. I have always been blessed with low cholesterol, and nice healthy blood pressure. So, since I don't have insurance, I went to my local hospitals cardiac screening. I am pleased to say my cholesterol remains ok, under 200. My HdL could be better, but my LDL is fine. My blood pressure is fine. But, my blood glucose is not so good. Well over what is considered safe. Just under what is diabetes. And, I am a bit freaked out. I am very overweight and sedentary, and that will fix it if I get moving. Oh, and sugar is my drug of choice. So I have to stop that right now!! So, I am reading all the stuff I need to read and trying to be better with my diet. I have to work up to moving around more. I hate sweat. For some reason, I always sort of figured I wouldn't get the health issues that have been prevalent in my families, but apparently, that was foolish of me. So, now I have had my butt kicked and things have to change.
I will keep you posted.
SO, I made a mosaic for a benefit auction that a bunch of friends are putting on for a girlfriend with breast cancer. I will show that. I love it. And I make paper things- paper garlands, party favors, silliness.
I have 2 older sisters who have had some health issues- one had heart bypass a couple of years ago, and one had colon cancer, and has been well for 4 years. They both have high cholesterol, and have been fussing at me to go get my fluids checked. I have always been blessed with low cholesterol, and nice healthy blood pressure. So, since I don't have insurance, I went to my local hospitals cardiac screening. I am pleased to say my cholesterol remains ok, under 200. My HdL could be better, but my LDL is fine. My blood pressure is fine. But, my blood glucose is not so good. Well over what is considered safe. Just under what is diabetes. And, I am a bit freaked out. I am very overweight and sedentary, and that will fix it if I get moving. Oh, and sugar is my drug of choice. So I have to stop that right now!! So, I am reading all the stuff I need to read and trying to be better with my diet. I have to work up to moving around more. I hate sweat. For some reason, I always sort of figured I wouldn't get the health issues that have been prevalent in my families, but apparently, that was foolish of me. So, now I have had my butt kicked and things have to change.
I will keep you posted.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Big pink cupcake
I have a girlfriend who was diagnosed a few months ago, to have breast cancer. She had a mastectomy within 2 weeks and chemo started shortly thereafter. She is a single mom of 3 young boys with little or no help from their dads. She can't work right now and her funds are limited. We live in a tiny little town, and she is well loved and has lots of support. She works in a popular restaurant, and the restaurant has been buying her food when they get stuff for the shop. A few generous customers have been supporting her monthly with bank account deposits. And a handful of us are putting together a fundraiser/party for her in June. We are having a Mardi Gras theme, because she did not want pink! We have lots of good stuff to auction off, and we, the organizers, decided we would wear costumes. So, I thought I needed a big pink bee hive hairdo, and I could make it out of tulle. I went on ebay, and wound up buying a non beehive, hot pink wig. Then I decided I needed a prom dress look. I am quite overweight, so if I tried to do the prom dress look, I would look like a giant pink cupcake. So, I decided I would embrace the cupcakedness, and make a pink dress with yards and yards of pink tulle. That is my task on this rainy day. I will let you know how it works.
I also have 2 upholstery jobs and I need to make some sample cushions to see what I think the style should be. I was panning to paint my shutters, but it is raining, but that will help with the inside jobs. I am predicting there will be glue involved in the dress. It only has to hold up for one night!
I also have 2 upholstery jobs and I need to make some sample cushions to see what I think the style should be. I was panning to paint my shutters, but it is raining, but that will help with the inside jobs. I am predicting there will be glue involved in the dress. It only has to hold up for one night!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Sunny, sunny days
I am a happy girl today. The sun is out and my house is being painted and life is good. I started a second job on Sunday, just a little deli and espresso spot, but it is growing to a grocery store and it is a fun difference from a liquor store. I have 2 upholstery jobs that I didn't even solicit, which is huge to me. They came to me. ANd my feet stopped aching fromt he 2 days at the new job! I have been sitting on my butt the entire 10 years there, and now I am standing for 8 hours a day, and I am heavy and my feet are not used to that crap. SO, it is a transition and it's okay.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Ode to Lorelai Gilmore
I only started watching the Gilmore Girls right after the Kiss. So I had to catch up, and it was on every afternoon at 5, so that worked out well. I adore the Gilmore Girls. They were smart and did not dumb things down so everyone would just get it. You had to really pay attention to catch all the pop culture, literary, obscure other references. It was so well written that most women I know wanted to be best friends with Lorelai. One of my favorite bloggers used the phrase, which I immediately adopted as my own, "What Would Lorelai Gilmore Do?" I use it often.
I like to think that Lauren Graham is like Lorelai, though she probably isn't. But I love her and it makes me happy to think they are alike. I want her to date and marry Matthew Perry, too, because I like him a lot too, and I like to think they would be happy and funny, though it probably would be a little angsty.
But, I wanted to give them a proper fan good-bye. So, here is to you, Lauren Graham, and Alexis Bledel, and I hope we see you in a lot more stuff, because you are wonderful.
(P.S.- I was really mad at the whole Luke and April debacle and there was really no need to do that stupid thing. I never liked Christopher, but didn't blame her one bit and even liked him for a little while there, because I was so mad at Luke.)
I like to think that Lauren Graham is like Lorelai, though she probably isn't. But I love her and it makes me happy to think they are alike. I want her to date and marry Matthew Perry, too, because I like him a lot too, and I like to think they would be happy and funny, though it probably would be a little angsty.
But, I wanted to give them a proper fan good-bye. So, here is to you, Lauren Graham, and Alexis Bledel, and I hope we see you in a lot more stuff, because you are wonderful.
(P.S.- I was really mad at the whole Luke and April debacle and there was really no need to do that stupid thing. I never liked Christopher, but didn't blame her one bit and even liked him for a little while there, because I was so mad at Luke.)
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Mom's Day
As most women can say, I have had ups and downs with my mom. I know that she did the best she knew how, and that was not bad. SHe favors the only boy and pisses off the 3 girls over it, but she is very good to me. She annoys the hell out of me, but she is good to me and I love her. ANd her 4 kids are all productive, non-addicted, law abiding, honorable and moral people. Yes, we should be, but I look at some of my cousins and oh! dear heaven! we are all quite fabulous in comparison.
Shall I share?? I have a cousin who is a minister and oh, so pious and good, but apparently he has a fondness for other men's wives and a few hookers here and there. When he was in high school, he had a very sweet and good girlfriend, whom he pressured to have sex. When she finally gave in to the pressure, he dumped her, since she was no longer a virgin. He convinced his mom to give him her million dollar house in return for paying her expenses at an adult facility. He stopped paying for anything, saying since she has dimentia, she doesn't know the difference.
His brother is an exceptionally handsome loser who has latched on to women with money and never worked an honest day in his life. After his latest stint in rehab, he has now left his 3rd wife because he found his soul mate in rehab, but he will most certainly fight for a great divorce settlement.
They have a sister who is not pretty. The curse of having handsome brothers and never measuring up, even though she is the only productive member of that family. She is funny, smart, eloquent and an all around good person. But, she is not pretty, which is really what counts in that family.
My mother spends so much time worrying about her little sister, who's son has sort of hung her out to dry, and really she can't do too much about it. I am so mad at him for doing this because of all the stress it has put on everyone but him, it seems.
And so, our family looks really good right now. I am self employed, my brother is a contractor, and both sisters are retired.
So here is to my mom. Who really irritates the crap out of me at times, but, for all her faults, is a pretty good mom, who raised pretty good kids. Thanks mom.
Shall I share?? I have a cousin who is a minister and oh, so pious and good, but apparently he has a fondness for other men's wives and a few hookers here and there. When he was in high school, he had a very sweet and good girlfriend, whom he pressured to have sex. When she finally gave in to the pressure, he dumped her, since she was no longer a virgin. He convinced his mom to give him her million dollar house in return for paying her expenses at an adult facility. He stopped paying for anything, saying since she has dimentia, she doesn't know the difference.
His brother is an exceptionally handsome loser who has latched on to women with money and never worked an honest day in his life. After his latest stint in rehab, he has now left his 3rd wife because he found his soul mate in rehab, but he will most certainly fight for a great divorce settlement.
They have a sister who is not pretty. The curse of having handsome brothers and never measuring up, even though she is the only productive member of that family. She is funny, smart, eloquent and an all around good person. But, she is not pretty, which is really what counts in that family.
My mother spends so much time worrying about her little sister, who's son has sort of hung her out to dry, and really she can't do too much about it. I am so mad at him for doing this because of all the stress it has put on everyone but him, it seems.
And so, our family looks really good right now. I am self employed, my brother is a contractor, and both sisters are retired.
So here is to my mom. Who really irritates the crap out of me at times, but, for all her faults, is a pretty good mom, who raised pretty good kids. Thanks mom.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Gorgeous Sun
We have had a very long winter. Like, till last week. In the Pacific Northwest, a cool Spring is not unusual. But for the last 4 or 5 years, we have had beautiful, hot, dry Springs and we have gotten spoiled by it. Sunday was the first day we have had above 55 this year. But, now it is sunny and glorious and I am happy.
I gave notice at my job, so regardless of whether or not the house sells by then, I am done the last day of August. It was a leap, but one I felt good making. I needed to be proactive, instead of just waiting, and waiting. I have also taken a new, part-time job to generate a bit more money, and if I still need a job here after August, I can add more days and I will be fine. The commute is about 100 feet. If I have to commute to town for work that would cost me at least $10 per day, because we have the highest gas prices around! So, things are changing and all will be well.
I gave notice at my job, so regardless of whether or not the house sells by then, I am done the last day of August. It was a leap, but one I felt good making. I needed to be proactive, instead of just waiting, and waiting. I have also taken a new, part-time job to generate a bit more money, and if I still need a job here after August, I can add more days and I will be fine. The commute is about 100 feet. If I have to commute to town for work that would cost me at least $10 per day, because we have the highest gas prices around! So, things are changing and all will be well.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Inaugural Post
In the past, I have had a couple of other blogs, one of which I really enjoyed doing. Then I closed that one and opened one with my sister, but at times, blogger is a pain and makes posting hard. So I am killing that blog, too. I enjoy writing and started blogging to practice that. I have no aspirations to write a book, or anything. I just think it is a good thing to practince things that require thinking.
I am a crafter. I knit, I sew, I make stained glass mosaics, I am an upholsterer, I paint, I make whatever is trendy at the moment, just a little then I move on to new things. I love learning new art/craft skills, and have no need to perfect them, or continue. I just really like to experience something new and be able to say, I made this, not matter how bad it may be. These are things I want to learn- glass blowing and blacksmithing, are at the top of my list right now.
As anyone who read either of the previous blogs of mine (all 4 of you) knows, I have been trying to sell my house, and move to a new town and start a new business, and a new chapter in my life. I was divorced 4 years ago and I need something new in my life. Right now, I live in a small, isolated mountain town, far from a real city, and it is dark much of the year and cold way too much of the year. I need sunshine and warmer and water. I am only going about 60 miles away, but it is a coastal town and in a little sunbelt, so is warmer and brighter. And it is a little city, with everything I need and can walk to everything and breath sea air. My big sister lives there, and we plan to have adventures, big and small.
I will try not to whine too much about my house not selling, and I am about to go splash yellow paint on it.
Thanks for reading.
G
I am a crafter. I knit, I sew, I make stained glass mosaics, I am an upholsterer, I paint, I make whatever is trendy at the moment, just a little then I move on to new things. I love learning new art/craft skills, and have no need to perfect them, or continue. I just really like to experience something new and be able to say, I made this, not matter how bad it may be. These are things I want to learn- glass blowing and blacksmithing, are at the top of my list right now.
As anyone who read either of the previous blogs of mine (all 4 of you) knows, I have been trying to sell my house, and move to a new town and start a new business, and a new chapter in my life. I was divorced 4 years ago and I need something new in my life. Right now, I live in a small, isolated mountain town, far from a real city, and it is dark much of the year and cold way too much of the year. I need sunshine and warmer and water. I am only going about 60 miles away, but it is a coastal town and in a little sunbelt, so is warmer and brighter. And it is a little city, with everything I need and can walk to everything and breath sea air. My big sister lives there, and we plan to have adventures, big and small.
I will try not to whine too much about my house not selling, and I am about to go splash yellow paint on it.
Thanks for reading.
G
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