"Bummed"

Yep , that's me.  The craft show was/is today.  It was down to the wire for the snow to be blown.  If you remember, I said that there was a great chance for rain today.  It was still 70-80%.  The time that the decision was to be made was 10:30.  That was when the snow was to be blown.

Well - when I got up it was very dark and overcast.  Then about 9ish, the sun had the audacity to come out.  I got my first email from the person who chairs that committee. She said she would send an email between 10:30 and 11.

I had already made my decision.  As frantically as I worked last night, I still wasn't ready.  Then after G and Son picked up and unloaded firewood yesterday, I knew any help I sought from G was gone.  I knew  he was going to be too sore.  And he is.

So I told Daughter that I was pulling out.  When the email came, the show was a go.  They decided to blow the snow, so there will be no rescheduling of the  event.  There went my last chance for a show this year.  This means I haven't done a show in 1 1/2 years.  Her being at a swim meet was a big part of my decision.  She couldn't help, and G certainly didn't want to help.  That was clear even last night.

Well, here it is 1 PM, and we are having rain.  I will bet that the snow won't last very much longer, and I am sure there won't be many kids there to play in it.  I know there have been lots of kiddos out of school sick.  I would hope their parents would think better of them  being out in this much cooler, wet day playing in cold, wet snow.

So - my income for the day $0.00.  I guess it's ok though.  I am not sitting out in the wet cold.  My merchandise is not getting wet.  Have to look at the positives.  Got what I wanted - rain.  Not when I wanted, but still got it.  Didn't get to church because it might not have rained.  I need a weather wizard!

Peace.

More sane - I hope

I haven't gone back to re-read yesterday's post.  I probably should take it down.  I was distracted by G, and wondering if I were really over whatever had taken control of my body.  One should never write under those conditions!

Things have settled down nicely.  I am feeling pretty well with only a few intestinal growls (I know - too much information).  Son called to check on me last night.  It was strange on Sunday night.  He, Daughter and I were all sick.  He had symptoms more like mine, and I would say we caught the same bug.  If we did however, it was from different sources.  Or this is a mighty bug since I last saw him the week before!

This little business I have going is not a money making proposition!  I told a lady at church I would do three little handkerchiefs for her.  She wanted four letters and the year.  Ok.

I did the first one.  I was all finished with it.  And as usual, with it all finished when I was trimming threads on the back - my super sharp scissors - the same ones that cut my foot when they fell on it - cut a teeny hole in the cloth.  Can you believe?  Sure you can if you have hung around here long enough.

I knew where she got these.  They were really pretty with lace around the edge.  She said they weren't expensive, and I already told her that I hoped it would go well, but there was no way I would ask her to buy another because I was so stupid.  So I set out to the gift shop.  Those suckers were $6! There was only about a thousand stitches to it, so the most I was going to charge was $1 per handkerchief.  So $3 supposed profit as opposed to $6 for the replacement, plus my gas out to the shop.

Perhaps one of these days I will become proficient.  I did learn a lesson here.  I know how to probably not do that again.  You DID notice the "probably."  That's because I know me too well.

All's well that ends well however.  I am only $1 out on this deal (well plus the $3+ for a gallon of gas).  She paid me $5.  One of these days things may go well, and I will make a profit!  But for now, it keeps me off the streets and mostly out of stores.  But I did find Christmas presents in that shop - they have some really cute earrings for the girls.  Probably $50/pair with another $50 for the charms that can be put on - but cute!

Peace.

Too much to hope for

Once again, our hopes have been dashed.  I probably won't get a drop of rain from this storm.  It, too, is going to our east, therefore, no rain and higher temperatures because all the moisture will be pulled to the storm.

I should have known as much.  At the end of the week, all we could do was watch our rain chances dwindle.  We are  not on water conservation.  That means we can water only on Tuesday and Fridays, and something like 12:00 midnight to 9 am, and some other time in the evening.

Well - enough for that.  Shadow certainly didn't leave my side too often last night.  He plastered himself right up against me.  That cat is one hot body.  Just what I needed!  He probably won't get anywhere near the bed when it gets cold!

Daughter and I went out to get more supplies today.  I have to get the pictures posted sometime.  Actually, I need to get photos TAKEN sometime.  She took the one of Lady Bug's dress that I finished last Saturday.  I haven't been back up there except to get thread colors I need for the embroidery of the shells on the baptism blankets.

I guess this weekend I will lock  myself up and work of dresses.  Now if I can get an inventory up so I can sell some of those suckers!

Have a good holiday.  I will probably not catch up with you until Monday evening or Tuesday morning - unless I have another animal incident where said animal wants to confess his or her stupidity!

Peace

Odds and Ends

There are some things I really don't address here anymore, and cancer is one of them.  I know it is in my information section, but I just don't really write about it.  That doesn't mean that the thought isn't always in my mind.  All I have to do is take a shower or otherwise change clothes.  I see the scars.  Yesterday, I was changing clothes and got a terrible cramp in the muscles in the area where the mastectomy was and reconstruction took place.  Reminder?  You bet!

Then I have an appointment with Dr Death in September.  That always brings you back to the reality that regardless of the fact you are getting close to the "magic five year survival,"  it might come back.  With the other things that are going on right now, I have to wonder.  My headaches - withdrawal, sinus (since Texas is turning to flying dust), brain tumor ...

There is pain in that right side of the thorax.  One of our dear friends had her breast cancer return and that was a symptom.  But then I think there is some nerve damage from the muscle being pulled from my back to my breast.  But I will bring it up in a couple of weeks.

I sound like such a whiner.  But these thoughts live in the recesses of my mind.  G went to the bank to try to deposit some of the monies from his mother's estate.  They pulled out an actuarial table.  He was told he has 18 1/2 more years.  I wonder how many I have?  Do I really want to know?  Aren't there far too many variables in my life?

OK _ enough gloom and doom.  I really believe if I don't think about the Little C it will just go away. (Dreamer!!)  G is still wandering around here mumbling "global warming" with every news cast.  I have tried to explain to him that we have a variety of factors involved with the weather, and yes, we humans have done a really good job of ruining our environment, but he is absolutely sure the high that settles over  Texas in the summer (last for sure and apparently in the future) is caused by coal burning electricity plants.  Now it would make more sense for us here in Texas, where there is an abundance of clean burning natural gas, to use that gas for powering out plants.  But that would mean the politicians ( and I don't care if they are Democrats, Republican, or Tea Partiers - all want the same thing - re-election) would have to use some COMMON SENSE.  That is lacking in each and every one of those jokers in political offices from local school boards to the White House.

Oh, right - I don't become political here.  Forgot. But I do think they are all clowns, and when you cut through the outer BS, they are all the same.  Just deeper BS.

So I sit and listen to him complain about global warming and ranting that he will not stay here next summer.  He will go somewhere else.  I finally told him the other night that I wasn't going.  I didn't add that I wasn't going to come home to find the house falling down on our heads because the slab dried out and cracked into 50 million pieces, the pool was the Black Lagoon - at least the four cups of water that would be left, and the pool equipment burned up because there was no water going through it.  Stupid!

Oh - here come the men in the little white jackets to pull me off my soap box.  Sorry!  Sometimes I get a little wound tight.  This is one of them.  Time to go play nice again.  That means three loads of laundry before I head off to sew dresses.  Yep - still put that baby off.  What excuse can I find today?  Gotta go look for one. Later ...

Peace be with you.

Where is it?

I know it was here just a minute ago, but where in the heck did July go?  I know I am anxious to get out of this heat.  I know I was rooting for Tropical Storm Dan to give us a little moisture.  He turned out to be fickle!  But who took July away?


This summer has been a real challenge for most of us.  Not only is it dry, but the heat is like living in the clothes dryer.  Well, someday it will end.  I don't want another winter like the last one either.  We had too many freezing days.  My fruit trees are just beginning to come back.  That is a real trick now that it is hot and dry.  I don't know if they will ever be the same.


The big event on this week's agenda was going to the Embroidery Club meeting.  I am getting better and better with my machine, and it is going to be difficult for the organizers of this club to find things that I need/want to learn.  


We did beautiful lace snowflakes today.  They are impractical.  I don't want/need them for decoration, and they wouldn't sell at all.  I would have to charge $50 for each one according to the suggested pricing on all this embroidery stuff.  They also take 60+ minutes to complete.  I guess that wouldn't be so bad if I could set 10 machines going.


And so, another day of finding fault with things.  I guess I sounded rather pompous with all that.  I don't mean to.  I still have a lot of things to learn with that machine.  It can almost fix dinner.  It has features I haven't even considered using yet.  


So now it is time to lug the 50 pound machine up along with its 20 pound machine trolley.  I also need to re-organize the craft room.  I have put some things away so securely that, wait for it ...   come on you can guess the answer ... I can't find them.  What a surprise.  I still cannot find my other wedding ring.  It is someplace verrrrry safe - at least I hope it is.  So it goes with things in the craft room.  Things that will be found after I die, and my kids are repulsed by all the stuff I have,


Oh, I watched a little of the program "Horders." Bless his heart - my dad was a horder.  I never thought of it as a sickness, but what else do you call it?  He wasn't a crafter that needed stuff like he had.  He reupholstered furniture, but that was it.  When he was living alone, you couldn't walk through his house.  


I guess I'm like that a little, but as a science teacher, we used everyday things for our equipment.  Even as just a regular teacher, you never knew what you could use for bulletin boards and the like.  I do about 5 different crafts.  I use a lot of different stuff.  I know as soon as it is in the trash can, and loaded on the trash truck, I need the item.


Right now I am looking for some colored "jewels" to put on girl's hair things.  I remember putting them someplace out of the way.  Well just where is that place.  I'll bet I find my ring there too!


Peace be with you.

Finally.

I'll get to the title in a bit. I just wanted to share my Sunday. I don't know why; I'm sure you had one just as busy.

I began running when I finally woke up at 8:30. I made the decision we would just have toast or something because for the last Sundays there has been things like breakfast tacos, and the like. So I know you know what happened. Yep - I stayed away from the donuts. My blood sugar doesn't need that. I did have a small bagel with cream cheese. It was far from the breakfast taco I dreamed of. If we hadn't been so late, I would have run down to the little Mexican restaurant in the same shopping center.

From there we went to lunch. That was no biggie. Nothing unusual happened there. After that we went to one of the local theater groups. They were doing a murder mystery. It was really quite good. I don't really care for the Agatha Cristie ones, but being a live performance made it good.

From there it was home to feed Simone, pick up a bottle of wine and some Bohemia ales, and we were off to Son's house. Now I am getting to the title of today's wonderful post! DIL ordered some dresses for the little girls. They are the new loud style of prints you wouldn't normally put together. I was a bit hurt that she had bought dresses. Um - I have three sewing machines, two embroidery machines and one serger. I am available.

So I came home after dinner and licked my wounds. I had a piece of "Dora the Explorer" material that I was going to use with something else. I found it in the remnant section of the store. I took the girl's measurements last night for them. I was going to get other fabric tomorrow.

The phone rang, and it was DIL. She found a source for the fabric, and asked me if I would make the dresses. Well, of course! So hence the finally. She has never asked me to do anything. She has acted like what I put out is terrible. So I was pleased when she asked if I would do it. I am pleased.

Peace be with you.

We're back - and to a mess

It was a fairly quiet weekend at the SSB. G shot a doe, and he is finished until it is Spike season. We have some mighty long spikes running about. Those will never sprout a full blown rack, and they are three or four years old. We don't want them entering the breeding there. That will mean none of the bucks will have any horns.

I forgot to check the home voice mail Sunday afternoon/evening. It was our renters. They had a sewage backup. I found the message Monday morning, and began calling. We had to leave the house, so that meant cell phone. We had cell phone + hills = no service.

Before we left, I got the voice mail of the renter. I left a message. On the road, I finally got the plumber in Llano. I kept calling the renter and leaving messages.

I got home, and renter called. She is really not the sharpest knife in the drawer! She hesitated, and I asked if they had gotten with the plumber, and had it come to fix the problem. No - she just got home. That phone was at home. She sees I have called multiple times. So talking top the plumber. She said they did a stop gap - the sewage is flowing into the back yard. Gasp!!

Then the way she does things, she adds that the heater "isn't putting out a lot of hot air." Ok - I gave her the HVAC people's number to call. She calls it in that evening as an emergency. That is an additional $78 thank you very much!

I am going to send an email, as I promised, but with all my numbers, not the contractors numbers as I had said before. They were so concerned before signing the lease that we would just enter the property without notice. I was trying to respect their privacy. So I have tried to let them schedule meeting with the contractors. Well that is OVER. I am no longer careful about their privacy except to give them notice. You either be there at that time or I will. Simple. Like the apartments do it.

A bit of this and a touch of that

Daughter and I did the little craft show here in the city. Every year there are more vendors, and the take is small. My cards were the hit this year. I think they would have sold last year, but I was getting out of the hospital the day that was rescheduled. Since it was after Christmas, I doubt they would have sold either.

We did not sell a single wreath. They are beautiful. In fact, we sold eight cards, a sleep mask and two girls coins purses. What a waste of five hours on a cold Sunday afternoon.

I went to a craft show on Saturday. That started my back hurting. Setting up yesterday almost killed me. My back was screaming. So much for me not having the injection next week. I am not as well as I thought.

I decided the only way for any relief was a hot bath. I cannot kneel. I have to kneel to get out of the tub. So I thought I would bring a pillow. After the water was out, I put in the pillow. It wasn't going to work well. So I managed to maneuver to get out. I wasn't going to be known as the old fat lady who had to be hauled out of the tub. Not in this little city! Not on your life. It wasn't a pretty picture, but I got out!

Best news of all is my machine is ready. It is earlier than I thought, even though it is too late for this craft show. I will make some things for the grandkids now. Such is life.

Simone may have cancer. It is something that boxers are prone to. She had a bit place on her head. The vet did a quick biopsy this morning. The cells didn't look cancerous, and she has one little place with the big one. They are mostly in a circle - with one outside the circle - a little way out. G met a boxer that lives on the corner who does have that cancer - a mast cell cancer. He is ten, and this is killing him. So we just have to wait and see.

Enough rambling. My hydrocodone dosn't have any effect on me, does it. I feel just the way I have been writing. Ohhh bad. I will try to be more with it tomorrow!

Peace be with you.

Here I sit with other things to do

I just can't seem to break the habit of sitting here at the computer every morning. I check my embroidery sites, read emails (from 4 sources), check Facebook, and then read blogs. Then sometimes I am inspired to write on the weekend - like today.

Tomorrow is the last craft show of the year. My embroidery machine is still in the shop - not unexpected. So that means I can do sewing projects to add to the merchandise, but that's it. So I am working on little lovies (you know, the things with different ribbons sticking out) that are in the shape of a cat. I had a program for embroidering one, but well...

Yesterday Lady Bug came to help. I had her cutting those blasted ribbons. That takes time. So she cut while I sewed. We completed 3 1/2 in an hour and a half. Not too shabby.

I want to go to one of the school's FFA craft show today. I think Daughter will go with me, and if not, I may not go. I really do not need to spend any more money this month!

I have been reading all you wonderful people who have decorated for Christmas. It makes me a little sad. All my stuff is still put away. I want to put up the tree this year, but I am worried about that cat who should be dipped in gold when he passes. I am afraid, and for good reason, the little critter will try to eat the thing. I surely don't need to pay for another exploratory surgery!

So I have wasted enough time. Simone is sitting here coughing because she has a bad case of reflux, so I am going to get her an antacid pill and sew more lovies!

Peace be with you.

Success at last

- and I may not throw this computer as far as I can! Then again, I very well might when it takes a mind to do whatever it pleases like it did just a minute ago.

Since I had to transfer my programs to this computer, I have had three crucial programs that wouldn't run properly and/or required new installation including new passwords, etc. One guy and I almost came to blows through the computer over one, and wouldn't you know it - it is the most crucial to me. We had ourselves a breather, and then wonder of wonders, this computer decided to work properly. Just boom and things clicked. The program ran like a clock.

It is so nice to know I can take the computer with me this weekend and work on the avalanche of embroidery designs. And hey, it will mean that I can devote my time to the computer instead of cleaning. How wonderful. Daughter and crew won't be coming (even though SIL wants to come so badly) because Monkey Boy had a t-ball game. It will be his first with this team, and for some reason she sets great streak to the first and the last. Oh, well.

Shadow goes to have the staples removed tomorrow. I can't help but being cautiously joyous. Two weeks ago I thought we had a dying cat. Here I was thinking that I hoped someone would be good to him when they had to take him when G and I are gone since our cats live so long, and what does he do? He tries to die on me!

I have some questions that I need to write down so I can remember them. If the answers go my way, I can say this has truly been a wonderful day. Three programs all settled here in my computer ready to go to work for me, and a cat that will live a while longer!

Peace be with you.

RIP OFF!!!

Well it wasn't that much of a rip off, but it really was. At least we got a kiss before the _______ (you fill in the blank). There were refreshments, and a free design disc as well as a drawing for prized. As per my usual luck, I dropped my drawing ticket somewhere. I put it my pocket - along with my pen. I guess when I was trying to make my mind over a $700 design software purchase, that little ticket jumped out of my pocket. I wonder if someone picked it up - and won!

The things I went to was a presentation by a machine embroidery software person. I didn't have anything else to do, so I went. I was pretty sure I would learn something, and it got me out of the house. When you interact with a year old cat that thinks biting it the best thing in the world and an 8 year old boxer who sleeps in her crate all day except for breakfast and perhaps a potty break or do the occasional barking when someone rings the bell or knocks.

So I got there, and for a change the handicapped parking was closer than some of the regular parking. I knew I was in trouble. I went in and paid Cynthia my ten bucks. I asked if she hadn't gotten many to reschedule their session. She called me and asked if I would come 4 - 6 pm. Nope! She said a lot didn't change their session and some just showed up without registering.

So I began looking for a seat. We were in the regular showroom. Boy, if someone was coming to buy a machine, vacuum or other accessories, they were out of luck! It looked like all the seats were
taken, and then I spotted a few. I took one, and later found I was sitting close to another club member. She looked familiar ans said she hadn't been to club in a long time.

The lady from the software company (the sister of the owner) began showing items that had been embroidered. They were breath taking, but I noticed that most were quilts. I don't quilt, and I don't want to quilt. She did give me a good hint if I decided that I just must make a quilt.

Then we were going to do a "project." I wondered how 50+ people were going to get a machine to do this project. Then the way came out. We counted off in numbers from 1-6. Then we went to the machine area that matched "our number." I went to the $8000 commercial machine. Would I love to have that machine? Do bears ____ in the woods. I would LOVE that machine, but I would love to have a bathroom updated for that amount too!

Before the break, we were told about the "Diamond Club." For a mere $700/year we could have blah, blah, blah. I really considered it, all the time thinking of the 6000+ designs I have downloaded - free. I went to look at the $59 designs. I didn't find ANYTHING I liked. I had two that the shop had already discounted - that I have never used.

There was a $29 set that I really liked. There was another I kinda liked, but it was 3 for 2. Well ... I couldn't pass up a deal, right?? I had a really tough time finding three of those I just couldn't live without. I either previously bought the similar designs from another digitizer, or I had downloaded many that were also like the set - I just recently put those into sets.

Was my $10 original investment worth it. Yes. I got out and socialized with real, live people. I also learned that the club meeting I will miss is something I can do pretty well. I spent another $90. I bought two design sets (got the 3rd free, and I am not sure all of it will fit my hoops), some stabilizer that is supposed to be good for clothing, and spray adhesive. The one I had been using was $15 for a little, teeny can. This is the size of a regular spray can for $22. We'll see how it does.

Now I am going to try out the ONE design set that I really wanted, other than the one that won't come out until August. It is cute, cute, cute!!! This was time well spent.

Peace be with you>

Money Pit

Not really, but it almost seems that way.

Our investment property just got new window blinds through out the house. It is now getting a new water heater. Lovely.

It may have also found a tenant. The plumber loves this house. He really wants to buy it, but is thinking perhaps lease for a year then buy. Of course, this is all dependent on wife!!

If we were to sell, we would make a really nice profit. Even with everything we have done, the amount we have invested is less than market value.

The only thing left is for the electrician to get here to replace the breaker panel and put in ground fault outlets in the bathrooms.

The maid service I hired was terrible. They lost out on my having hired them long term for my house. I hate, absolutely hate, stainless steel sinks. I know they can look really nasty most of the time, but I also know they can look pretty good. When the service left here, the sink looks horrible. The windows I asked to be washed are not clean. I think they ruined the solar film on the windows in the living room. Well - they won't be back.

I think the plumber is about finished. Good. The heat is on, but set at 50 degrees. I am freezing here sitting on a brick hearth. I need to get warm after this next little bundle I drop.

Peace.

Bummer

Here it is 11:54 am. on Sunday December 6. I should be looking for a parking place up at the park so I can be setting up my booth. But here I sit at the breakfast room table.

I really thought the powers that be would cancel this whole shindig. It is in the 40's, overcast and drizzling. We had real snow all over the place day before yesterday. It seems that Holiday in the Park is going on without me. I called to withdraw. I don't think there will be much traffic.

The chairperson said that even if the snow was canceled, they would have the vendors there. I keep telling myself that there won't be much in traffic, but truth be known, I have worked hard to get ready.

I'm not really totally ready. The two week down time with the machine in the shop really put me behind, but I thought I could sell some stuff this time. Now we will never know.

I know it would be miserable out there. The ground is wet, and I think will get wetter because there is going to be more rain before the 4:00 ending time. I don't have warm clothes here. They are all at the SSB.

Still I am bummed. I am really let down. I was all set - now . . . Oh, well. I guess we will have a Christmas in July table at Round-up. Or perhaps we will set up our own craft show (not).

Peace

Oh my,

I found there are many embroidery groups on Yahoo, and I joined several of the groups. Most are groups that are set up by digitizers. They are the people who put together the computer designs for the machine. They will often offer samples and other freebies. That is wonderful in itself, but there are some really cute sets, and they are often on sale. Anyway, I spend a lot of time on Yahoo. Some of those folks must spend 24/7 because they post a lot of messages!

Today I was reading one message posted to one of my groups, and the woman was talking about doing projects for craft shows. That got my attention quickly. She went on to say that she is on her second machine in just a few years (sounds familiar), and the present one has frozen up. I was really interested now.

She said that she fully explained to her dealer what she wanted out of a machine, and they sold her the ones they did. Now when she takes them in for service, she is told they were not meant for business use. They are for only about a million stitches. Some of the things I have done recently (most if truth be told) are 20,000 at a minumum. I am sure I am beyond a million.

Now her machine is not the same as mine, and I am sure my first one was a lemon. It should have been yellow - lemon yellow! Needless to say, I am really worried about this machine now! I can just hear it - I should have bought a commercial machine. I guess I could have for a little more than what this one ran, but they only embroidery. I wanted something that sewed as well.

I guess I'll just have to praise this one and keep it happy!

Peace.

Same song

Yep, same song, verse fifth something. Simone is sick again. It started last Tuesday when I needed it the least. The guy was here for the generator, and he had to turn the power off. I witnessed her nausea in the den. I didn't know about it in the bedroom until, in the dark, well you fill in what happened. It wasn't pleasant.

She was better Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday I saw the signs and was able to get her a pill for nausea. That held off the severe nausea. Saturday she was OK, but Sunday not at all. Daughter did volunteer for dinner. I was relieved.

G decided that she needed to see the vet (yet again). So yesterday I made her an appointment with the more senior veterinarian. It is so funny to get to the office. All the assistants exclaim "Here's Simone!" They come around the desk and love on her. Word apparently spreads through the entire hospital. It is almost embarrassing. Of course, you have to remember that she goes there for baths too. She also has been boarded there two or three times.

The veterinarian came in. He is basically stumped. But I wanted G to be there to ask questions. The vet said there was no reason to spend the money to send her to A&M because she gets nauseated, then gets better. She is maintaining her weight, so there isn't that problem,

The course of treatment this time is a stronger anti-vomiting pill. She got that this morning. When she got up, it was the lickey-lickey stuff again. He also wants to try an antibiotic. Boxers are subject to, among the multitude of things, an overgrowth of bacteria in the gut. That can cause the nausea. Well, that is as good as any other probable cause.

This morning she has had her super-duper anti-nausea pill. I need to give her that anti-acid, and she wants to eat. Then we will try the outside break - on a leash to stop the grass (or anything else she can get her mouth on) eating.

Life is nothing but exciting around here. In addition to a sick dog, I will be fighting with the power company I had lined up to turn the power on at the house we want as an investment. They turned it on way before I asked, and didn't say anything when I would call to postpone the turn on. They had it on for less than a month, and they sent me a bill for aver $400. All I can figure is that that thermostat is set on deep freeze. I wouldn't know because I am not the owner yet, and I have to access to the house. Wish me luck.

Peace.

Freudian slip or simple omission?

As I was confessing my need for a support group for my addictive nature, I "forgot" to mention my trip to M*chael's yesterday. I had a simple purpose in mind. My daughter wanted me to do scrap books for her children. I had done one for the new resident prince at the other household, and she wanted one for her three.

I was a good grandmother. I stopped at the foolish children's garbage items and bought the older three some little trinkets for Easter. I refuse to give them candy. We will be trapped in the rather smallish house at the SSB. If tradition holds true - the weather will be horrible. One Easter we had severe thunderstorms that knocked out power for 17 hours. Another Easter we had an ice storm that coated everything with ice. We were trapped.

So, since they were on sale (ah, those magic words), I piled into the car and began the trek to that Mecca. I forgot (?) where the scrap books were, so I made a round of the store. Guess what I found! Something that I had not purchased in several months. Jewelry findings. And they were on close out. They were over 50% off. I put some in my cart. Then I found the crystal that was on close out. Yes, they went into my cart.

I had found just about all I could use from those two huge bins, so I rounded the corner headed to the scrap books. What just happens to be on the way to the scrap books you say. Why more jewelry things - at 40% off. More was piled into my cart.

By that time, my knees and back were about to kill me. I had to stop - then. So I found three identical scrap books and threw them into my cart. Daughter will have to go with me to choose fabric to cover them.

You know, they will never get done. She will never go to choose fabric. They will be like the three baby blankets that I have in the craft room that she purchased in January for me to embroidery for three of her retailers. Those kids will be in college before they get those blankets!

Procrastination. Where do you suppose she got that?? (crickets chirping in the resounding silence)

Peace.

I made them free!

I surely didn't start out to make burp cloths free, but that's what I did. I had a "little old lady from Pasadena" (the one who is elderly at 58!) order seven customized burp cloths. She visited web site where I foolishly placed them on sale. But I was still happy. There would still be a profit. Not as much, but a profit nevertheless.

We were supposed to meet Sunday. That didn't happen. I had not done my homework. I had not investigated what shipping would cost. I asked G what he thought. What a waste of time!! I asked daughter, my partner. She didn't know. We guessed perhaps $2.50. How naive we were.

After my fiasco yesterday, I went to buy an envelope to place the cloths in. It was $1.99. Not looking good here. I was ready to mail said envelope. This part is my own fault. I went to a private mailing place. I surely didn't know he got that much profit. Anyway, the total of this little mailing event was right at $10. I'm losing ground quickly here.

The diapers probably cost less that $1 each. I did buy fabric especially for these, but there is so much left and it makes such cute burp cloths, I really don't want to add that in. Plus it hurts too much. I don't know how to measure the cost of the thread. I don't add in fabric and thread, I made 66 cents. At this rate, well you can finish this statement.

I can hope that llfP will see the postmark, take pity on me, and send another check for additional postage, and/or she will send business my way. I know there is another option, but I won't do it. I could call her and ask if she would send more money for the postage, but I made the foolish mistake. She didn't. I, for better or worse, stand by my word.

I have to look at it this way. I paid to learn a lesson. Same as when I was in college. After all was said and done, I used the computer to find out shipping costs from both the post office and Big Brown. I got smart enough to bookmark those pages! I'm not a slow learner - nope! If this is the biggest mistake I will ever make in my life or in this business, I will be so lucky. It takes a kick in my butt to really get me moving these days. I consider myself so kicked. I won't make that mistake again.

I have learned a lot during the last three weeks with this entire process. I've set up a business email, I have posted my items on a published list, I have actually made a web site for the business (which is really time consuming and an ongoing project), set up PayPal, and found what costs are involved with shipping. This meets my need to keep my brain active, and the need to learn new skills. I really believe non learning something new contributed to my dad's dementia. I really want to do all I can to beat dementia. So I'm on a journey to beat cancer and dementia. Wish me luck.

Peace.