In These Shoes? I Don't Think So...

2009-10-18T09:09:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was the last outside show of the year. Alas, Mother Nature decided that perhaps we should rethink the plan. It had been raining and cold for several days. Cold meaning high 30's.
With some nice wind as a bonus. Not good for an outdoor craft event. Or any event for that matter. We went to the site at about six am, in the rain and wind. The director was there, and she basically said, "It's up to you, but it's not going to be a good day for a show. We are promoting it as 'rain or shine', but it's your call. No refunds." Fine with me, I counted my boof fee as a donation, and we went home.

Later we went to a bead show, and bought a few things, nothing major, came home and napped the day away. Had grilled cheese & tomato soup for dinner while the wind blew and the rains rained.

Today the rain has stopped, but it's pretty chilly. Nice day to stay inside and clean, and catch up on all the things I don't do enough. There's a nice beef stew in the crockpot for the second football game later.

I sent Obbie to the store for 'good' bagels. Shall we take bets that the bagels will be out of a plastic bag and not the store bakery? Hey, I'm just sayin.....

2009-10-06T04:46:00.004-05:00

On Saturday, we had another show. Small Town, USA. We did okay, sold a few things other than kid necklaces & rocks, for which I'm always grateful. After the show we went to a friends house and had dinner, drinks and a bunch of laughs. That was great fun. The not so fun part was driving home, although it does make me switch to drinking water about an hour or so before we leave. I think the drive is only 37 miles, but it feels like 137, especially the last 16. I was a little noddy, but for once, Obbie stayed awake and kept talking.

The next day we went to the Fells Point Fun Fest. If you ever have an opportunity to visit, I highly recommend it! Lots of vendors, everything from African Art to flea market wares to Sham Wows to high dollar ART. Then there's food vendors of every stripe, rides for kiddies, non-profit information booths, bands, beer, bars, and did I mention the food? We visited my favorite beading person in the world, sat in her booth for awhile and people watched. It was a beautiful day on the pier, with the boats coming & going. All the bars had their doors wide open and the football watchers were whooping it up. We ate a mozzarella filled arepa, which was surprisingly good, an empanada (a first for both Obbie & I) and watched a vendor who had a big wrought iron tee pee over an open fire. On the teepee were steaks, stretched out on hooks, so the fire would cook them from the inside out. This was very cool, and we ended up with some of the sliced steak to go. (We ate it in the car, so it didn't get very far) We came home with full bellies and sore feet (the cobblestones are KILLER on the feet) and I ended up falling asleep very early 'watching' the Steelers.

And back to Monday. Work is awful lately. The Big is miserable, going around finding fault with everything and everyone, putting all of us in terrible moods right off the bat, since we're never sure if we're going to be next to have something we do picked apart. It makes for a stressful work environment for everyone, including upper management. Because of course, they get THEIR asses bitched at if there's a problem with us peons. Oh well. Suck it up. Five o'clock is our mantra.

And that's it for now. Another show this weekend. Work, work work....

2009-10-01T14:14:00.002-05:00

I'm home early today. The landlady's husband died, so I went to the 'visitation'. And took the rest of the afternoon off. I did some errands, then came back to the house.

I've got some projects in the works, and I really should be working on them. I'll get there eventually. My bead guru is making a ring for me, and I'm making her some chain maille in trade.
We have a show on Saturday, and Sunday we're heading to Baltimore for the Fells Point Festival.
Apparently, it's a big festival, so we'll have a good time strolling around people watching. The bead guru is there selling, so we'll stop by and visit with her and her hubby awhile. That's always a good time.

Until then, I'm making more stuff for the show on Saturday. I never think I have enough stuff!!

2009-09-28T05:08:00.002-05:00

Last night I dreamed we were at a big craft show and it rained.

Probably because on Saturday we were at a big craft show and it rained. Again. I see a theme developing here.

The big Townfest was surprisingly successful even though it rained off and on all day. The day started off poorly before we even left, as Obbie decided to be a pissy bitch, and I wasn't in the mood. He took a half day on Friday under the pretense of fixing the earring display. He basically ran around all day, then worked until about 9:00 outside trying to redo the earring rack. It looks a little better, but he half assed it. He has all good intentions to start with, then, works himself into a froth because it's not working like he's envisioned it, then just goes through the motions. So, he was out on the 'patio' (a crumbling pad of concrete that the landlady feels is good enough NOT to fix) hammering and cutting and grumbling, IN the damp, IN the chill, with an attitude. I'm up at 4:45 on Saturday, to clean cat boxes, feed the cats, and to do the general panic that I do before every show. He gets up at 5:15, and is feeling poorly. This time of year kills him with his allergies. So it's the Honk and Tweet show every hour of every day. Which is the cat's faults too, you know. So he's pissy about that. And he dosen't feel good. And the earring rack is a big let down. And the flyers he printed are crooked and uncut, which pissed ME off, because I asked him to do it last week, and he did it half way. When I asked him WHY they were uncut and crooked and on white paper (colors, people COLORS) he said they were busy at work, and he couldn't get any better than that. Then WHY for Gods sakes didn't you call me and say, "They're busy, can you take them to the printer and get some made?" But no, it's easier to ignore it. So THAT pissed me off.

And we weren't even in the car yet.

After a couple miles of bitching it was all worked out, we got coffee and yogurt and headed to the show.

Set up, no problem, same spot at the past umpteen years (good) and as soon as I hung the last earring, it started to sprinkle. We moved displays inward, so only one table was not under the tent, and carried on.

It rained. It poured. It sprinkled. And the people came out. We made a fair amount of money, much to my amazement. But by 3:00 we were cold and damp and ready to go home. Moms was there, and we had dinner with her and beat feet (in the rain) to get home and get the chill off.

Another show this weekend, I wonder if No Rain Please is too much to ask?

We'll see about that!

2009-09-23T18:03:00.002-05:00

Hi there!

Long time no see.

It's been that kind of summer. We didn't do anything, it seemed, but it also seemed like summer was over so fast.

I beaded a wedding bag for a friend's daughter's wedding. That was in August. I heard from my Mom that she got an email saying the friend's daughter liked it. I've heard nothing. I spent a very, very long time building this damn thing. oh well.

The fall craft show season is in full swing. Two down, seven or eight to go. I'm spent too much time pondering why I'm doing this, and what I hope to gain. But on the upside, I was interviewed by the local newspaper, and the story was on the front page, then last night, my picture was on the front page of the former hometown newspaper. Too funny. But that still leaves me with, "Why am I making jewelry and where am I going with it?"

There are a huge number of cats at my house now, and my landlady has taken a sudden interest in 'her' house. She claims I have too many cats, and need to get rid of some or she's going to evict me. Well then. One would think after 7 years of rent, I'd have a little leeway. And it's not like we're living in filth, for goodness sakes. But, I'm at the mercy of the landlady. And her weird nephew who lives up the road, and while I'm told he's an engineer or something, he seems to spent a lot of time mowing the grass across the road, and skulking around. He gives me the creeps.

So I'd like $20,000 for a downpayment on a house, so I can keep my cats and not be worried about being stalked by an 85 year old control freak. Shall I put the Paypal button on the sidebar now or later....? How many pairs of earrings make $20,000? (between 2,000 and 5,000 I think) So anyway.

What's new with you? Does anyone even come here anymore? Probably not. That's what I get for dropping out of the blogosphere. I basically have fallen into Facebook and can't get out. Mafia Wars and Breaking Bricks have been the death of creativity here. Mom and I went on vacation, and it rained, so I spent a week in the hotel making jewelry, so I've got a pretty good stock o'stuff built up. But as always, more, I need more.

And the day job makes my head explode one way or another every day. But I'm getting to the point where my head exploding is just another thing to check off on the to do list. "Okay, head exploded, check! Next!!" But at 5:01 it's all behind me.

And that's been the last couple weeks in a nutshell. I'll try to write more often.

2009-08-05T18:33:00.002-05:00

Mrs Cat is alive and well. She's crooked. Crooked as in looking at you sideways, but aside from that, she's cool. Eating well, using the litterbox (unlike some of the 'normal' cats).

She's going outside daily, strolling around, checking out bugs & birds and the general outside vibe. Last night I looked out the kitchen window, and she was sitting on the picnic table like the Sphinx, looking all around. I opened the back door and asked if she wanted in. She jumped off the picnic table, and trotted up the back steps into the house.

I'm glad I didn't have her put down. She's quite tenacious, and it's been interesting to watch her adapt to whatever happened to her.

2009-08-02T16:03:00.002-05:00

Fish tacos are all the rage now. Well, they've come to fast food outlets, anyway.

I like fish tacos, but they're not supposed to be FRIED. Grilled fish on a soft corn tortilla. With shredded cabbage. THAT is a fish taco. Not fried with 'crumbles' on a fried tortilla. Ack.

Of course, of all the grilled fish to pick from, my favorite is tuna.

Alas, I won't ever order one in public, for I can't order a Tuna Taco without smirking.

Some days I feel like I'm perpetually channeling a 12 year old boy.

2009-07-28T19:57:00.002-05:00

A couple years ago, prior to Obbie, this orange and white cat started coming by the house. She wasn't into being petted, but very much enjoyed the crunchies I left for her.

Two kittens showed up prior to me going to visit Oklahoma, and I think they were hers. She never owned up to them, though. She kept coming by for crunchies, but didn't stay long, then wouldn't come back for weeks. She was a passerby.

Last summer, she came and stayed, outside, and had kittens. I heard them before I saw them. One day, while I was sitting out back on the stoop, she brought me her kittens one at a time.
That's how I met Grunt, Sissy, Reggie and Fraidy. They all hung out as a big happy family, coming and going as they pleased. Except for Grunt, who I brought inside because he was tiny and scrawny, and just puny, and I was afraid he'd be snatched away by one of the big hawks that hang out around here. Poor Fraidy was very beautiful, but dumb as a box of rocks, and eventually ran out in front of a truck and got killed. He's buried behind the house.

This past winter, Mrs. Cat and the remaining kittens (now pretty grown) came in and stayed in. It was cold. They'd go out a little, but would scurry in when Obbie and I left for work, to find a warm place to sleep.

Time passed, everyone has been happily going in and out, and all was right with the world. On Thursday, when I got home from work, Mrs. Cat was sitting on the floor by my computer, curled into a ball, napping. I didn't think much of it. Later, she got up and went out in the hall. I heard thrashing around, and went to investigate. She was having a seizure. It was a terrible flashback to Pete back in January. She ran up the stairs, and fell back down all of them. It was horrible.
She curled up in a ball in the dining room, and didn't move. I went to work Friday thinking I was going to come home to take her to the vet to be put to sleep. When I got home, she was sitting up, and looked a little better. Ok. I thought we'd see what would happen. On Saturday, she looked about the same, so we left to go to Philly, making sure she had food and water if she wanted. I actually prayed that she'd die, so I wouldn't have to take her to be killed. When we got home on Sunday, she was gone. We searched everywhere for her. EVERYWHERE. I couldn't find her. I figured she'd gone someplace to die, and prepared myself to start looking for her body before the hot weather got really bad, and smell of death permeated my house.

Last night I was poking around in the laundry room, and there she was. Quite alive, and not really willing to come out of her hiding spot. She was either dying or healing. I didn't know which. I figured I'd find out soon.

Sure enough, tonight she was out here in the living room, laying on the floor. She can walk, but it's very very unsteady, with a definate tilt to the left. She went out to the kitchen and chowed down on a bunch of crunchies and water. The vet told me, when Pete stroked, that sometimes the cat will overcome it. Not be 100 percent, but recover from it.

Am I being cruel by letting her live? Am I just prolonging her agony? She's not crying or anything. She's just 'here'. What kind of life is she going to have? Or should I suck it up, and take this cat, who has done nothing but fight her whole life, to the vet for a shot to end her life?

2009-07-15T19:18:00.002-05:00

So hi. What's new? Not much here. The same old thing, pretty much. No shows coming up, so I'm just wasting time online. Doing 'research'. Yeah right.

I'm tired today. Work is amping up pretty good. Which I'm grateful for. Having not a whole lot to do leads to dumb web surfing, and that is not allowed. And while I'm not totally sure we are spied upon, I'm not totally sure we DON'T. Therefore I err on the side of caution. My etsy and ebay browsing takes place at home. And since some people couldn't stay off facebook and myspays, those are actually blocked. Which is fine with me. I hate myspays and I don't even think I have a space there anymore. Facebook, that's a different story. There's your place for time wasting. Even though I don't love them like I used to, I still spend stupid amounts of time there. So anyway, my internet surfing mostly takes place at home because I'm too paranoid, and lately too busy at work. I do check my emails rather obsessively, but I'm really positive there are other people there who do the same. Not mentioning any names.

Most of the forums I used to visit are either dead or should be. I check on a few once in awhile, only because I'm fond of some of the people. The jewelry forums I do check more than the regular chatty ones, for inspiration and general knowledge. They actually have merit, unlike the other ones, most of which are chock full of stupid commentary (not unlike this blog...) hatefulness and internet balls. (Meaning people talking big shit, who wouldn't ordinarily be like that in life) I'm just tired of the nasty comments I read on lots of forums. The ones run by local newspapers are notoriously rotten. I just can't get over how ignorant people are when they think they're anonymous. (HA, there's some irony, huh?)

And thats what I have for now. I should walk my mile and get it out of the way, maybe it'll wake me up a little too.

2009-07-12T18:50:00.006-05:00

We had two shows this weekend. Yesterday, was a full blown arts & crafts show during the Summer festival Obbie is a state worker, his paycheck is limbo, since the asshats haven't passed a budget yet. He needed to work as many hours as he could, so he helped me set up in the AM, then split to the car show to work that gig. I had a good day by myself, with plenty of customers, and LOTS of folks stopping by to chat and admire my stuff. Holy Cow! I sold the chain maille watch!! Geez Louise, I thought I'd never sell that thing!

Thunderstorms started blowing up around 2:00, with dire warnings and dark clouds. Obbie came over about 3:00 to help me tear down, and as soon as I got the car in position to load, it started to rain. We were both exhausted after all these, but went for dinner and a couple drinks anyway. I got home, and went to bed at 6:30.

This morning I was up at 4:30, and putzed around til 8:00, when we left to set up at small car show, which was thought to be a good idea, but really wasn't. Obbie helped set up, then was off to the big car show for a couple hours. I only spent $10 on the space, which was made back easily. There were lots of nice cars to see, and some good food. But sales were slow, and the wind kept blowing over the necklace boards. We left at 2:30, and came back here and relaxed.

As of right now, there are no shows on my schedule until September! SEPTEMBER?!!! Whatever am I going to do with my time? (clean the house, weed the garden, cut the grass, make more jewelry, go to the beach...there's a long list) After I get back from the Mom trip to the beach, it's going to be full tilt boogie for two and a half months. So I better enjoy it while I have it.

2009-07-06T20:42:00.002-05:00

Happy 6th of July!

We had a crap show on the 4th of July, which had much drama first thing in the am. To the point where Obbie was ready to just go home. The 'person in charge' (henceforth known as Tee Hee) was nowhere to be found when we finally got to the show on Saturday. After driving in circles looking for someone in charge (or with a clipboard) Obbie got out of the car and went off in search for Tee Hee on foot. When he found her, she informed him that our location had changed, since THE TUPPERWARE LADY pitched a fit the night before because SHE didn't like HER spot, so of course, Tee Hee gave her OURS. SHE wanted the end spot. So she giggled (hence Tee Hee) and said, "I guess that's okay with you right?" and then went on to inform Obbie that the other jewelry seller she put us next to COMPLAINED that we were their neighbors (whatthefuck?) So we had the spot that Tupperware didn't want, beside a jewelry seller, across from another jewelry seller, and Tupperware got her way. I then got the car stuck trying to get up the hill to our space. I was ready to just go home and write off the whole damn day. But we pressed on. Unloading the car and walking all five tubs AND the tent up the side of this hill because some asscrack couldn't move their vehicles (while that fat bitch Tupperware stood and watched) As the last tub was hauled out of the car, a big 80's Caddy came belching in and pulled BETWEEN my car and the other car....with about six inches to spare. WHAT THE FUCK! I yelled (classy) The caddy belonged to the king lion of the Lions Club some 86 year old fart who looked like Colonel Sanders.

We're setting up the tent, and Obbie says, "Do you want to go home?" Well hell no at that point, the damn tent was already up. Geez. So we continued setting up. The day wasn't a total loss, we did end up making our expenses back, and actually made some money, but it was damn hard.
My mother showed up at 2:45 with her old lady posse and wanted to hang and chat, but we were trying like hell to get out of there. I did sell a couple necklaces, and Obbie sold a bunch of rocks, but again, it was the hard way to make money.

Afterwards, we went to my best buddy from high school, and had dinner and talked shit for hours. Then I drove home (Obbie went to sleep as soon as I pulled onto 81) We got home about midnight, whereupon I crashed hard until the next day.

We went to an auction in Maryland and bought a whole bunch of assorted rocks. I spent more money than I should have, but that's auctions for you. I have no self control....

So it's back to work today. The PA in my office is out all week, so I'm all things to all people. One day of it, and I'm sick to death of it already. It's going to be a long week. Then Saturday, another show, this time in town, it'll take a hot 5 minutes to get there, and Sunday another show, at the other end of town, it'll take a hot 8 minutes to get there. So I'm allegedly making stuff right now. Or not. Wasting time again is more like it. I'm crabby and bloaty and feeling rather crappy, so I'm NOT making stuff tonight. I'll start again tomorrow.

Peas out.

2009-06-28T18:04:00.003-05:00

Dear Facebook-

I still love you, but the honeymoon is over.

Mob Wars, I love you, but thrill of making a billion dollars a day is over. You won't let me buy into another city until I go up rankings. Well that's nice, but I'm not badgering people to join my mob.

Mafia Wars, I love you too, but the people who fight me all the time, take my money, and damage my properties are pissing me off. I don't have any more people in my mafia because I'm not badgering people to join me.

The Hatchings, Easter eggs, numerous causes, drink requests, and endless other requests drive me insane. I ignore a fair number of them.

What Twilight character am I? What color crayon am I? What's my redneck name? Who give a rats ass, anyway, you dipshits that write a lot of these quizzes can't spell for shit. Dictionary. Look it up.

The people from high school who didn't deal with me then are now my 'friends' oh, cool.

I spend too much time on you just looking around. A quick hit after work, and maybe later in the evenings, but not like before.

I still love you though, but not as much.

Thanx

Love

Amy

PS-

2009-06-27T06:40:00.002-05:00

Obbie is working all day today at the car show, and I have an entire day to do anything I want.

Which is not entirely true.

The house is horrible. A pigsty of EPIC proportions. Since the kittens have taken over the place (they're everywhere) the whole house is their playground. I came home from work on Tuesday and there were newspapers scattered and shredded all over the living room, all the books and 'stuff' knocked off the side table, and a piece of pottery was broken. Not to mention the random poops and yakked up hairballs. It's like living in a frat house.

So I should clean today. And Obbie can't cut the grass of the whole yard at one time, so THAT needs done. I'm kind of weird about the grass. Half assed grass cutting pisses me off, I think I talked about that one time. And he REALLY half-asses it, and it looks like hell. If you want something done right, you do it yourself. Which I think is kind of unfair, even though I did take care of everything when I lived alone here, there's no reason I should have to do that now. Especially since there's more dishes to be done, more laundry needing washed and at least twice as much clutter that needs removed. I can count the number of times he's vacuumed since he's lived here. But vacuuming kicks up his allergies he says. Even though the bathroom is FULL of his prescriptions....oh now I'm turning this into bitching about Obbie. I'll stop that part now.

Between cleaning the house and cutting the grass, I'm not thinking there's going to be a bunch of ME time at all. I wanted to start a couple major bead projects (weaving not stringing) and get some other stuff ready for the shows in July (4th & 11th)

Yeah good luck with that.

2009-06-22T06:08:00.003-05:00

We're back from the beach.

Early.

The mornings were clear, but within an hour or so, it'd cloud up and rain. Screw that. It wasn't worth staying there one more day in the rain. The beaches were deserted because of the wind and rain.

We spent Saturday bar hopping, but that became old fast too. So here we are.

Friday was beautiful, of course. We went into Rehoboth and had dinner at Dogfish Head Brewery. I had a very good grilled tuna ceasar salad, and Obbie had a grilled salmon ceasar. The food made us happy. Too bad freaking yuppies don't know how to keep their kids in line. We had one crew behind us, with two smaller kids and a baby. Mommy and Daddy remained blissfully unaware while their kids jumped up and down in the booth. The folks behind Obbie had two small boys, who also spent the evening jumping up and down. Or running around the restaurant, while Mommy was glued to her I-phone and Daddy kept saying, "Now Cody don't do that." Blah. I think a letter should be sent to Dogfish Head suggesting that a cage should be installed in one corner of the restaurant so asshole parents and their raving kids can eat and not bother the rest of the guests.

Then we walked around town, had an ice cream cone and shopped a little. We went back to camp and decided that we'll just stay out of town from now on, away from the hoardes.

That decision was short lived, for on Saturday morning, after visiting the ever fantastic Lewes Farmers Market, we went back into town, and I reserved the room for Mom & I for the September vacation. She, of course, was as ungrateful as ever, and I didn't even get a thank you. I got a snotty comment about "Not knowing about reality" Excuse me, I'm more reality based than most people. And the more I think about it, the more annoyed I get. That's all I'm going to say about that, because I'm really irritated about the whole thing. Anyway. While we were there, it started POURING, and that was that. No beach on Saturday.

We went to the Pickled Pig Pub, and had great Bloody Marys, fish tacos and steamed mussels. After that, we went next door, where I bought some butt ugly Birkenstocks, which were clearance shoes, and cannot be returned. But, OMG are they ugly. Not to self, don't shop after two bloody marys. We went to a locals bar after that, and I had one beer and two seltzers. Obbie had a couple beers and handled over the car keys to me. We went back to camp, where, yes, it was raining again. The chairs had big pools of water in them, so with nothing else to do, I took to the tent for a nap. Obbie joined me later. And this was how the rest of the evening went.

Sunday we go up and it was beautiful, but then the clouds and rain and wind rolled in. We went to the beach to see what was up, and it was even colder and windier down there. The executive decision was made to come home. So we did. By way of Philadelphia. We visited LUSH only to find out that they're discontinuing our favorite shampoo bar, so we bought six of them. We then went to Marra's pizza on E. Passyunk Avenue, since 1927. Great pizza! Wood fired oven, crunchy crust...oh man! It's great. I highly recommend it. I can't wait until we go again!

So today I'm home. I was going in to work, but I think I'd rather stay home. Obbie's off too, so we're going to have coffee and pizza, and decide what's going to happen today.

2009-06-17T18:29:00.002-05:00

Have you missed me? I know I have.

Since we last chatted, I've done two shows. One even for two whole days.

It's been nuts. The art festival in Maryland was a whomping success. It helped that the weather was beautiful. Last year we almost died of heat stroke, this year we were under some trees, the sun was shining and it was lovely and cool. And the people shopped. Again.

Last weekend we had a two day show, locally. We made the expenses on the first day, the long and painful way, like a dollar at a time it seemed. The show was heading towards the Endangered Species list in a quick way. But Sunday was a complete turnaround. They came, they ate, they shopped. We got invites to two shows later this year. Very cool.

This weekend we're heading to the beach for an extended holiday. We deserve it. There will be beer drinking and cooking over the fire. There will be swimming in the ocean and sleeping in the new tent. I'll tell you all about it when we get back. Maybe with pictures. Whoot! Pictures!!

2009-05-25T07:06:00.004-05:00

Indulge me. I have things to grumble about.

Grumble Number One: Jon & Kate Plus 8. GO AWAY ALREADY. Jon, grow a spine, Kate, shut the fuck up. You're an attention whore, and while I'm not for anyone smacking anyone around, you need smacked. If Jon screwed around on you, no wonder. You're a nasty, nasty woman. You've made yourself into a media sensation, and now you hate it. Too bad. This quit being about your kids a long time ago. This is all about YOU and your quest for stardom. Karma's a bitch. I'm not alone in my judging of you, some of America is judging you. And apparently a fair number of them aren't quite happy with what they see. GO AWAY.

Grumble Number Two: Art. There's an art festival in The Big City this weekend. Artists from all over the country are here, displaying their wares. Art shows are a pain in the ass. There's a lot of hard work that goes into them, set up at the crack of dawn, sit for days smiling and talking to half interested people about your passion, listening to comments about whats good or bad about your work, watching people gasp at your prices, or hear the inevitable, "Oh I can do that!"

It's not easy. And to be successful, you have to get out there and do it. So our local newspaper, a sponsor of the art festival no less, ran a story in Sunday's paper about a local artist and her struggles with her art. She's edgy, she's not mainstream, and she makes very interesting, statement pieces. The article could have played up all this in a positive light. But no, the article had her speaking how she had recently been to a show in NYC, and how for the $50 admission, as was fed 'Crap' instead of a real meal. The jist of that was the fact that Central PA is actually a very art-friendly place. But the article comes across very negatively. The article touched on how the economy is hurting her as well, but again, that was lost (to me) in the negativity.

Back to the artists at the Art Festival, two of the three news channels and two local papers wrote about how the economy is affecting artists. They interviewed several who spoke at length about how they're hurting because of the economy. People simply don't have the disposable income to buy a $400 'architectural ring', no matter how beautiful it is. But they will buy the smaller priced items. So why does the media obsess on the "OH MY GOD NOBODY IS BUYING", but not saying "OH MY GOD NOBODY IS BUYING EXPENSIVE STUFF but boy are the shopping the hell out of the lower cost items"

I had the biggest show of my life last weekend. No kidding. Nothing on my booth is higher than $75. I keep my prices reasonable, because if I don't sell it, I don't get any money. The Beadwhisperer is supposed to be a money making operation. If I mark my stuff according to the 'wisdom' of the 'experts' online, I'd be hauling the same stuff around show after show after show. Being able to say I sold one bracelet for $25 does not seem as good (to me) as being able to say I sold eight of my bracelets for $18 each. So maybe making some less expensive things to sell isn't such a bad idea.
Again, it's my opinion. It's none of my business who sells what for how much, all I need to do is make and sell MY items, not anyone elses.

That's it for ranting. Thank you to all our veterans, and thank you to those who have given their all so we can be free. Thank you. I'm humbled and honored to know soldiers and sailors. Take time out from your picnics, races, cocktails, yard work today, and think of how and why we are able to do whatever we do here in America. Thank a veteran today.

2009-05-22T21:20:00.002-05:00

I took an order for a chain maille necklace at the garden show a couple weeks ago. It's blue byzantine, with drop beads woven in and out of it. My customer saw the bracelet and requested a necklace. She then said she'd get in touch with me. And she never did.

Until tonight.

Of course she still wants it.

So I better get going on it.

So I did.

I'm halfway finished with the chain part of it, which is a good thing. Tomorrow I'll finish the rest of it, and all the sparkly little beadies that the woman was so fond of. Then I'll take a picture of it and send it off for her approval.

Meanwhile, I have a cold, which annoys me greatly. I hadn't been sick all year long, and now I'm sick for the second time in a month. Yes, mom, I'm taking my cod liver oil pills.

I can't smell or taste (again) and that's rather annoying too.

This too shall pass. I have maille to make.

2009-05-18T19:32:00.002-05:00

So that reel mower I bought last year has languished in the dining room.

My evil gas powered mower is currently a POS. It needs tuned up, and last year (or two years ago) SOMEONE put a new blade on it, and it's not cut right since.

My persnickity Virgo nature kicks in with the grass. I abhor crooked lines, uncut areas, or just an overall sloppy job.

So tonight, Obbie was cutting the grass (poorly) and I just couldn't stand it anymore. I trotted out the super cool-green-hipster reel mower and thought I'd help. I have discovered the secret of the reel mower. YOU HAVE TO GO OVER THE SAME SPOT THREE OR MORE TIMES.

I got about a quarter of the yard cut. It actually looks pretty good, but I have a feeling I won't be able to raise my arms above my head tomorrow.

2009-05-17T20:11:00.002-05:00

We're back from the wine festival.

What a blast! Even though the US Weather Service was predicting all kinds of nasty weather, we lucked out with only scattered showers through out the day. The big bad storm, with lightning, thunder, high winds and torrential rains waited until after we were packed up and back at the hotel.

What a great day! People were drinking wine, dancing to the band, visting with friends, making new friends, and BUYING. Good gravy were they BUYING.

I started the day with seven large necklaces, and now there are two. TWO. Same with earrings, I started with thirty or so, there's a dozen left. I had six bird nests made, and now there are three, ditto on the chain maille anklets (with bells, dear Lord put bells on something, they'll sell)

And the next show is in two weeks. I guess I better get working, eh?

HOLY COW!! I BETTER GET WORKING!!

We stayed in the new Holiday Inn at Front Royal, VA. I highly recommend it. The rooms are great, and the staff is wonderful. There's a Houlihan's restaurant attached to the hotel. You know how I am about chain restaurants, but let me tell you, this one is GREAT. I recommend the 'three's company' dessert option, where you get three 'small' (ha!) desserts on one long tray.

I'm in love with Creme Brulee. I shall be Mrs. Creme Brulee. Oh. My. God.

Friday night, we went into Front Royal, and had dinner at a new place in town. The Lucky Star Lounge. Great beer list, very nice food, and live music every night. Check out their website, it's quite fun. If you're ever in Front Royal, I suggest the Lucky Star for dinner and drinks. Four Stars for the Lucky Star.

With that, I'm out of here. I think I'm going to be bed soon.

HOLY COW I BETTER GET WORKING!!

2009-05-13T18:58:00.002-05:00

So the fridge is dead. Well, maybe not dead, exactly, but in a coma.

The freezer will freeze, but the fridge part will not go under 40 degrees. The 'major system' is morte. So now we've got to save pennies for a new fridge. Dammit.

Here's today's thought:

Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic.

Authenticity is invaluable; originality is non-existent. And don’t bother concealing your thievery - celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said: “It’s not where you take things from - it’s where you take them to.

- Jim Jarmusch

2009-05-12T20:04:00.002-05:00

I'm cold. And bored. And not remotely interested in any of the projects I should be doing. All day I wish I was home, so I can do stuff, then I get here, and it's blaaaah....I don't wanna do anything.

Which is rather annoying.

Speaking of annoying, this old movie, "Tortilla Flats" is on. And it's really bloody annoying. But certain people are enjoying watching it, so until I go upstairs, I'm stuck with it. A really dumb plot and even worse accents. Steinbeck or not, I just don't like it.

The show last weekend in Hometown USA was pretty good. We sold lots of inexpensive stuff, which is good for the boof. This weekend is the Wine Festival in Front Royal, VA. Last year we had a good time, even though we were way off the beaten path. I believe the space we have this year is pretty good, in 'traffic', so I'm anticipating a fun day with lots of sales. I hope so, there's a hotel room to pay for and gas, plus a rather salty booth fee. But as I've said many times, craft shows are like gambling, sometimes you win, sometimes you don't. But playing is the fun part.

I have a plan for this one, so we'll see if it works. My market research indicates that people are spending money at craft shows. But not BIG money. They still want to purchase something, but they're not purchasing big ticket things. So, I shall entice them with reasonably priced, unique items. There's a method to the madness. At least I think so.

Speaking of spending money, the refrigerator decided it does not want to keep things frozen any more. The fridge part is cool, not cold. The freezer is cold, not freezing. So the repairman will be coming by tomorrow to see what is the matter with it. I'm afraid what it may be. Obbie will be here to greet him, and find out what the matter is. Let's hope it's a part and not a fridge. Not only the whole money aspect of buying a new one, but the whole hassle of getting rid of the old one, and getting the new one in. Not that I'd buy a brand new one, mind you, but the hassle remains. Again. Stay tuned.

So I joined Twitter, and started following different people I 'know'. Actually I joined to get all the Dead updates while they were East Coast touring, but now that they've moved on, I'm not finding many reasons to keep Tweets coming in on my phone. Facebook will have to do for 'microblogging' (another term I don't much care for.)

And with that, I'm going to bed. I'm cold.

2009-05-08T18:17:00.000-05:00

And here's the schedule until fall, when more are added:

May:

Mercersburg Home & Garden Festival - May 9th
Virginia Arts & Wine Festival - May 16th

June:

Middletown Fair June 13 & 14
Westminster, MD Arts in the Park June 6th

July:

Waynesboro, PA July 4th Jubilee July 4th
Carlisle, PA Summerfest July 11th

August:

Off for now

September:

Mount Holly Springs Holly Days September 19th
Mercersburg Townfest September 26th

October:

Thurmont Colorfest October 10 & 11th (Pending acceptance)
Dillsburg Farmers Fair October 17th

2009-05-03T13:33:00.004-05:00

Yes, I did go to the Dead show.

No, I did not have tickets.

Yes, from all reports, the show was fantastic.

No, I did not get in, and as a matter of fact I spent the better part of yesterday asleep. Asleep in the car, asleep in the hotel room. We went out to two cool places to eat, and while they were very cool, I was so medicated it was like having an out of body experience.

I cannot even begin to tell you how pissed off I am about this.

In lieu of a Dead show recap, tomorrow I may do the "Philly on Meds" recap aka "The Swine & Dine Flu, but not Dead Yet Trip"..

2009-04-30T20:15:00.003-05:00

Pardon while I get a little ranty.

I tried to get a friend to go with Obbie & I to Philly this weekend. It was all a big GO until her ex husband (who for some reason hangs out more now than he did when they were married) said some shitty thing about 'jerry being dead' and guess what? That was that. Now, my ''friend" has come up with three different ways to say, "No, I am not interested in going" without actually using the word NO.

Which leads me to her (and my) problem. If you don't want to, just tell me no. Don't use some bullshit excuse that you don't have any money (because I offered to pay for EVERYTHING as a birthday gift) or that you have a BIG EVENT at work next week, and need to work really hard to get ready for the event. (Guess what, I have two craft shows in next two consecutive weekends, AND I'm doing my day job too. Cry me a river about being busy with "a" big event.)

DO. NOT. BULLSHIT ME.

I am a big girl, and if you say "NO" then no it is. But be a fucking adult and just say the word. Don't use your passive aggressive bullshit with me. "NO" is a complete sentence. This fucking mealy mouthed shit annoys me HIGHLY. And also, do not log into Facebook and make the only entry in WEEKS saying some shit about 'being responsible isn't fun'. I know smoke and mirrors when I see it.

The reason I told you at the beginning of the week that this offer was good until Midnight on April 30th? Because I knew you'd punk out. I knew you would. Because you've done it to me in the past. I will not be inviting you to anything ever again. I will not invite you to visit us at craft shows, so you don't have to ever make up another bullshit excuse (I forgot) I will not invite you to the shore (sure, you didn't know your car was out of inspection until the day of the trip) and I will no longer invite you to meet us somewhere for drinks. Be miserable. Sit in your house and bemoan your fates to the universe. It's not my problem anymore, 'friend'. You can't be straight with me because you can't be straight with anyone......not even yourself. And THAT, I cannot help.

2009-04-26T17:34:00.002-05:00

The Dead show was a blast. I had forgotten how much fun the whole scene is. Yeah, yeah, SOME people say, "But Jerry's dead" to which I say, "Pigpen's dead, Keith's dead and Brent's dead, so what's your point?" Sure Jerry Garcia was THE man with the guitar, but being at a show is more than one guy and one guitar. It's about the thousands of people who are part of the scene. It's about the music. It's about that great feeling you get when you realize you're in the middle of something pretty cool. Obbie had never seen the Grateful Dead. He and I saw The Dead last Wednesday. He had such a great time. He was dancing and screaming right along with the rest of us 'Heads, like he'd been going to shows forever. So this "But Jerry's dead" shit no longer flies with me. Warren Haynes is one hell of a musician. He's not trying to be Jerry, or replace him in any way. He's singing. He's playing. He's having a good time. And he's sharing his abilities with us. And we thank him for it. Go Warren. You rock.

And that's it for now. I'm debating if we should go to Philly and see them on Saturday night. In the past, a Saturday night Grateful Dead show in Philadelphia has been a stellar-rock your world experience, and the boys always ripped the roof off the Spectrum. I'd like that to be the case on Saturday. Should we? Or just go to the beach. (I'm leaning towards the Dead, but what do I know, I'm a little biased, and Dead shows, Jerry or no, are like potato chips, you can't eat (or see) just one.)