Another disappointment

Sale's over.  We took in $57.50. ( Which was better than the last one, when we took in nothing)  Booth rental was $20.00 plus the donation of a tote bag priced at $10.00.  Lunch cost us $5.00, and I spent $13.00 at other vendors' booths.  And how was your day?

David was with me until just after 2:00, when he drove out to Selkirk to pick up the pieces I had in the gallery there.  Neither of them sold during the month long show.

I am exhausted and ravenous--emotional hunger, I know.  I decided to splurge and have a piece of Caramelized Apple Spice cake.  This is a fall special at Starbuck's, and only available for a short time.  Time was up, today, and they had no more. Was Someone looking out for me?

So, as I said in the last post, it's time to "fall back and re-group".  I'm not sure what shape that may take, and it may take the rest of the year to figure it out, but I sure know the door has closed on Craft Sales.

The sale

The sale tomorrow is the last one I've signed up for.  We set up tonight, and found that ti's going to be a big sale.  The spaces they've left as walking aisles are very narrow.  So who knows how anyone is going to be able to see anything that's for sale.  I'm not optimistic and a little sad right now, about the whole thing.  While we both worry about how much "stuff" I have, when it was all on the table, there isn't really that much.

So, while playing poker tonight, I spent some time worrying about how to deal with everything.  In the end I decided that there is probably nothing that will stop me from creating, so there's no point is worrying about what I'm going to do with the finished product.  I have to accept intellectually what I know emotionally.  For me it's the creative challenge and journey, not the product, so I just have to accept the cost of my creativity.  If I can't afford to buy supplies, I'll have to take up something like doing origami with old newspapers.

Then my friend Gail calls from Swift Currant of all places and we have along chat, on her nickel, about finding places where we can exhibit together.  We actually came up with a couple and are going to work on them both.  When one door closes, another opens.

David has long ago gone to bed, and I've just finished a long poker tournament, so should head there fairly soon.  It's been a good week, and I'm up about 400,000 chips ( play money, of course--darn it)

A warm fuzzy indeed!

Thanks Pati for mentioning that encounter. One never knows what impact one may have when interacting with others - this is why one must always be open, positive and presenting. (often hard to do, I agree) But I have been the recipient many times from the perspective of the one remembering ie just like Virginia remembered, and know that sometimes the timing is so perfect to make a lasting impression. For example just the right words or the right acknowledgment and just at the right time in your life! So meaningful to make a difference for you. I will always cherish my time attending both Quilt Canada 2004 and 2006 - they were highlight events for me. Not so much for the knowledge from the classes but just to be there - seeing the big picture and enjoying the time with like people. I will also never forget our outing with those folks in Ottawa and driving around looking for a restaurant with the help of Onstar! What a hoot!
Very cold - what a difference from one day to the next. And I see from the WFP that you folks are also feeling the cold temperatures. I need to cut our grass as well but with rain showers last two days it is hard to schedule. As well the produce keeps piling up here - more tomatoes came into the house yesterday from the greenhouse pending the frost over night. I should have lots of tomato juice to sip at over the winter. Harry wants more pickled green tomatoes made so I guess that will be on my To Do list today or tomorrow. 
Right now we are gathering things to take up to Kirkland Lake on Monday. Actually a bonus because I am getting rid of some of the accumulated small appliances eg coffee machines, irons, toasters, slow cookers, deep fat fryer etc to give to sister in law. She said she can use them and donate to the Church Camp where she volunteers. It didn't really make a dint in space freed up here but in my mind it feels as if I am ridding myself of stuff. However the door here is revolving all the time, if you know what I mean haha!
Time for coffee and my bowl of oatmeal - this time with strawberries from the garden mixed in. Yummy!  Weekend is here folks - enjoy......What's up? (Pati you say you have a sale? Be thinking of you) 

Catch up!

I just remembered another warm fuzzy, Beth.  At the quilters' guild meeting last week I sat with Virginia F.  She asked after you, and told me how much she enjoyed sitting with you at a banquet.  I figure it must have been at Quilt Canada 2004, unless it was Quilt Canada 2006 , in Ottawa.  How nice it was that she remembered.  You must have made quite an impression, as she spoke fondly of it.

Time for preparations for fall.  Yesterday, David got out the leaf blower/vacuum to clean up the patio.  Wouldn't you know it, the darn thing froze up after just a few minutes of use.  David was annoyed, and called a number on the machine to see if there might be a repair  depot close by, the alternative being that we might have to buy a new one.  $$$$  After over half an hour on hold, the lady listened to his story and gave us an authorization number to take it back to Canadian Tire.  Guess it was a "good thing" that I found the original receipt and warrantee card in our old files, while he was on hold.  So he took it in to the store and tells me that the clerk took one look at the warrantee card, and immediately offered a new machine, without worrying about the authorization number or that we had been told to have her call for a "refund authorization".  

Today he's busy cutting the grass for the last time.  Our garbage pick up day changes this weekend, as a new company has won the contract.    According to the paper, it was decided to move the day in areas of the city where back lane fires, and such, are a problem, to Mondays, in hopes of reducing occurrences.  I was a little miffed until I thought about it, and realized that we are very close to such an area. although in thinking about it, to me, it makes sense to have pick up  in those areas on Friday, instead of Monday.

Now, with the grass cut, David's very busy cleaning out the garage. This after helping me wash the kitchen windows this morning.  He's just like the Energizer Bunny.  He must have slept well last night. Washing the windows involves taking them all right out of the frames.  Getting them back is always a hassle.  So, it's not a job that gets done often enough.

I've been busy in the studio.  The studio "to do" list has grown to over a full page, and I've been busy finishing up the mandalas, so I can get going on the list.  The last scheduled craft show is Saturday.  Given the failure of the last one, and the very poor one last fall, I'm not optimistic, so have done nothing more in preparation.  We'll see, but if the results are similar, I have to consider that old definition of insanity--doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.  I can't remember who said it--Thomas Edison? or maybe Einstein?  Now, I'm at the point of watching glue dry, so have a couple of minutes to blog.

Or, with the car being out of the garage, while he's cleaning, I can maybe get away for my daily coffee.  Better get going.

Fun with Google games

So did you both have some fun with the Google games offered today?  I thought it was a great way to celebrate their 19th Birthday but didn't take full advantage myself - not much time to sit at computer. How about you guys?
Cathy you certainly do have some challenges at your workplace but always glad to hear from you about your days. Forgetting the workplace makes for such a good feeling to be coming home at night after work - I always loved that feeling..... knowing I could relax a bit. With all the rain you have described lately, sitting on your patio wouldn't work, but snuggling up on the chesterfield with a good book would be OK?? 
Speaking of books, I finally finished the Elizabeth George epic A Place of Hiding but as I mentioned it was an excellent story line and had me totally involved to the end.  Now I am reading The Secret Wife by Gill Paul - the one the neighbour Ruth brought over for me to read. Too soon into it to give you a synopsis. 
The heat wave broke with vengeance- actually coldish today and I had to wear a jacket to take the dog for his walk. Supposed to be like this for the rest of the week. Still have the dehydrator going so it is a bit humid inside still.
I haven't had a chance to watch the latest The Quilt Show show that started Sunday, but interesting to read all the comments about the previous Meg Fox Show that I said I loved so much, so I guess others felt the same way. I don't find the The Quilt Show Blog too interesting lately but again it is perhaps because I am not in the right place right now to enjoy it? 
Still every morning when I get up I follow my usual habit: take dog out, feed the animals, make a coffee for me, log onto the computer, check email, check PaBeCat Blog, and then in order, check The Mouse Factory Blog, Not Afraid of Colour Blog, Winnipeg Free Press, The Quilt Show and then log off.  A nice habit to set the stage for my day.  How exciting!   Take care

Quick note from work

Things have been a bit hectic at home and work lately.  The rain has finally let up, so Jim is back hauling potatoes.  They were off for a week because of the rain.  They will probably work right through now without getting Sundays off.  They were done by this time last year!.  Shirley has left work.  She will be retiring next July and is taking her sick time, vacation and then long term disability because of osteoarthritis in her hands.  That leaves us with two, but Surprise!!  They have actually posted for a one year term for us.  Nothing will happen until November but at least we will have someone.  There is just no way 2 people can keep the office open.  Most of our work is scanned into the computer now, so other offices can help with it,  but with the phones and walk-ins we are kept busy.  And, of course, someone has to scan everything into the computer.  Our absentee manager (we might see him once a month)  said that Patty could do all the registration and clerical and I would just accept.  We said NO!  He said OH?  We told him that we could work things out so the office would function efficiently with two people and his method would not work.  When he sent out the notice that we were down to 2 people and other offices would need to help he stated that we were going to work out the distribution of the clerical work between us.  He listened!  A first time for everything.  And so far it has gone smoothly for us, but it will go much better when we get help.  We are still worried they are planning to close us, but what can you do.  I got new glasses, but had to take them back because the bifocals weren't lined up with my eyes.  I should get them today or tomorrow.  I find it is a real strain on my eyes working on the computer all day long.  8 am........ I guess I have to do my job now :(

Vanilla

Short answer-I don't know

Long answer-there was a reason, way back in time.  I think it probably had to do with fair trade and sustainable development. I do remember watching a documentary on the basic growth and production of real vanilla, and being impressed with how much goes into it for not much return.  It followed the basic farmer in tropical countries, and how the whole family was involved.  But that may or may not have anything to do with it.

Today I'm at the gallery in Selkirk again, but then not again until November, when I have four days scheduled.