So here I am, the day before all packages must get shipped, feeling so good about myself because, for the first time, I'm actually on top of things enough to get everyone's package to them in time for Christmas! And then, disaster strikes.....
Actually disaster struck the day before, when I started my last homemade gift, a ********** for *******, and it wasn't looking quite right. Right then and there I should've started over, and I would have, except that I was on a deadline, and that deadline was getting pretty close.....so I fudged and I nudged and I did everything I could to make it work. I spent all day on it on the 19th (USPS says the last day to ship is the 20th). And then at 11:30 pm, in the middle of our second game of Munchkin with Cindy, I saw it....it was unsavable.....cute, and if I were 12 it would totally have been ok, but I'm 27, and I am not going to give a rushed, half assed gift (well, unless it turns out really nice....). I just about cried right there. I was already going to spend all of the 20th on last minute shopping and packing and shipping....I had no time to redo a 10 hour project.
In the end I sent a card saying that the present would be in the mail after Christmas. At least they would get that on time. And I just held back all the presents, so I could make one shipment, and ******* wouldn't feel left out.
And the funny thing is, the first gift I made was going to be for ****** (same person.) I was just planning on making one, and it was going to be for her. But then, it was so fun, I thought....lets make more. And as this last project took shape (and a misshapen shape it was) I knew that this would be perfect for her, much more than the first project. So now I'm behind....and so disappointing....I guess maybe next year will be easier. I'll start sometime before Dec 11, and I think that will make a difference. :)
Friday, December 21, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
yay for crochet!
So some of you may remember when, a few years ago in college, I started to crochet. I made a blanket or two and then dropped it. My fingers were sore, it just wasn't fun, and I was bored with blankets. And so it stayed until three weeks ago when my friend Katherine showed up to our Dickens' fair carpool with a crochet hook and some cotton yarn. Teaching herself from a book, she was making a potholder. No offense to Katherine, but it didn't exactly make me wanna jump up and shout, but......it did seem to be a pretty good answer to the question "What do you do in a car for six hours if you're not driving?" AND I could make a homemade gift or two for Christmas.
The more I thought about it, the better it started to sound. And then fate struck. Jeremy had to go to the Last Grenadier for a drow minature and what store happens to be right next door? That gorgeous yarn boutique Unwind, that I'd been curious about since we moved here last year. So I browsed, and I touched and I caressed....finally deciding on a gray alpaca yarn that was so soft, I swear it feels like angora is mixed in. This would be a perfect scarf for ***************** [censored until after Christmas], and it would be easy to ship to *********. Perfect!
Not twenty minutes into it and I realized what I disliked about crochet and why I had stopped. It was the acrylic yarn that I had bought at the craft store all those years ago (well, two years at least) That yarn dried my fingers out, felt plastic-y when I worked with it (the finished product felt much better but still) and just wasn't enjoyable. Not so with this stuff. Its so nice and warm and soft, and within a day I had the makings of a very nice scarf that I almost want to keep myself.
Still, you might say, what's crochet good for except blankets and scarfs and stuff? I was fairly amazed to discover on the internet, patterns to crochet just about anything you would like from bags to teddy bears, and this weekend, I even saw someone wearing a miniature crocheted top hat at Dickens' (of which I am very envious). I've also learned about felting, which is a way to take your crocheted something or other and make it really cool and soft so it doesn't even look crocheted, but certainly looks chic.
To my gaming friends, have no fear. I've decided, at least for the present, that crochet takes too much attention to be enjoyable while gaming...it would take me out of the action. But, movie watching works great, and of course, sitting at home waiting for students to show up is a great time to crochet. And in January, Katherine and I are attending a yarn tasting at Unwind. Can't wait to see how that goes. :)
The more I thought about it, the better it started to sound. And then fate struck. Jeremy had to go to the Last Grenadier for a drow minature and what store happens to be right next door? That gorgeous yarn boutique Unwind, that I'd been curious about since we moved here last year. So I browsed, and I touched and I caressed....finally deciding on a gray alpaca yarn that was so soft, I swear it feels like angora is mixed in. This would be a perfect scarf for ***************** [censored until after Christmas], and it would be easy to ship to *********. Perfect!
Not twenty minutes into it and I realized what I disliked about crochet and why I had stopped. It was the acrylic yarn that I had bought at the craft store all those years ago (well, two years at least) That yarn dried my fingers out, felt plastic-y when I worked with it (the finished product felt much better but still) and just wasn't enjoyable. Not so with this stuff. Its so nice and warm and soft, and within a day I had the makings of a very nice scarf that I almost want to keep myself.
Still, you might say, what's crochet good for except blankets and scarfs and stuff? I was fairly amazed to discover on the internet, patterns to crochet just about anything you would like from bags to teddy bears, and this weekend, I even saw someone wearing a miniature crocheted top hat at Dickens' (of which I am very envious). I've also learned about felting, which is a way to take your crocheted something or other and make it really cool and soft so it doesn't even look crocheted, but certainly looks chic.
To my gaming friends, have no fear. I've decided, at least for the present, that crochet takes too much attention to be enjoyable while gaming...it would take me out of the action. But, movie watching works great, and of course, sitting at home waiting for students to show up is a great time to crochet. And in January, Katherine and I are attending a yarn tasting at Unwind. Can't wait to see how that goes. :)
Friday, December 7, 2007
Guess who's going to be a certified SLS instructor!!!
YAYAYAYAYAY! For three years and four months I have been working toward certification as a SLS (speech level singing) vocal instructor. I had about eighteen of those months with almost no singing or teaching due to thyroid issues, so I had to start all over again with my training and evaluations in March of this year. And then, I passed my deadline in Sept without completing my training, and I thought I was done. But I asked for an extension anyway, and today I had my last lesson and evaluation (the instructor thought I was doing GREAT with my students!), and I just got awarded an extension. They sent me a writen test to prove I knew the codes of conduct and whatnot, so easy. I don't think there will be any trouble with that. So, starting January 1st, I will be certified Level One. WOOHOO!!!
Now I can actually say, "Yes, I'm a SLS teacher" and put it on my advertising and everything. AND I get listed on their official website, which is where every singer looking for an SLS teacher goes to find one in their area. So, so happy. If you're wondering what this whole SLS thing is, check out Speech Level Singing and their singer's community mySLSworld
As a note I should also mention I heard back from one of the places I applied as a part time bookkeeper. the property management company, which I really wanted to work in, offered me $12 an hour! Now, to make it clear how insulting that is, $12 an hour is currently the low end of what a bookkeeper's assistant would make. And they want me as a full bookkeeper, not an assistant. But whatever, it can't get to me, cause I'm gonna be certified!!!!
Now I can actually say, "Yes, I'm a SLS teacher" and put it on my advertising and everything. AND I get listed on their official website, which is where every singer looking for an SLS teacher goes to find one in their area. So, so happy. If you're wondering what this whole SLS thing is, check out Speech Level Singing and their singer's community mySLSworld
As a note I should also mention I heard back from one of the places I applied as a part time bookkeeper. the property management company, which I really wanted to work in, offered me $12 an hour! Now, to make it clear how insulting that is, $12 an hour is currently the low end of what a bookkeeper's assistant would make. And they want me as a full bookkeeper, not an assistant. But whatever, it can't get to me, cause I'm gonna be certified!!!!
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Dicken's Fair
Ok, so I've been asked to post about Dicken's Fair.
Its so fun this year. I'm working in the pirate booth with Jeremy, we have a blast. The one downer is the cashier that Michelle (our boss) hired. I have no idea why she hired her. She's slow and has a permanent frown. She's just not energized or excited about anything. But at least she's in the corner, kinda by herself. The turnout for the fair this year is great so far, and I think it'll keep getting better. They've expanded a bit too....new booths.
So, for those who haven't been, dicken's fair is an indoor fair that basically feels like you've walked onto a movie set for Dickensian London. Its Christmas Eve Night, and the lighting is all orange tones, like everything's lit by gas lamplight. Inside the shops of course, they all have their 'new' electrical lighting. There's Fezziwig's party, where you can waltz and polka (which I did a bit of last weekend....very fun :D), The Victoria and Albert Theater where we watched a shortened but very good Pirates of Penzanze, and where, this week, we'll see the new and improved French Postcards show (funny, tasteful, and of course, 18 and over). And Mad Sal's dockside alehouse (and brothel) where you have the more debaucherous shows. And in between, in the streets filled with food vendors and shops with handmade wears (there is a woven cloak that I am just drooling over...$200 of course) there are characters from Dickens' most famous (and some less famous) works walking the streets, acting through the books. Scrooge comes by our booth with the ghost of Christmas present every day at 2. And then at three, we see Queen Victoria and Prince Edward make their progress through the streets.
The other thing I love about working the pirate booth is that we're at the docks, so we're next to the Sea Dogs (or Paddy West School of Seamanship) stage (sailor themed singing group)....they are so fun. To listen to, dance to, and sing along to. Totally keeps my spirits up when I'm tired.
So, that's Dicken's in a nutshell....more specifics later.
Its so fun this year. I'm working in the pirate booth with Jeremy, we have a blast. The one downer is the cashier that Michelle (our boss) hired. I have no idea why she hired her. She's slow and has a permanent frown. She's just not energized or excited about anything. But at least she's in the corner, kinda by herself. The turnout for the fair this year is great so far, and I think it'll keep getting better. They've expanded a bit too....new booths.
So, for those who haven't been, dicken's fair is an indoor fair that basically feels like you've walked onto a movie set for Dickensian London. Its Christmas Eve Night, and the lighting is all orange tones, like everything's lit by gas lamplight. Inside the shops of course, they all have their 'new' electrical lighting. There's Fezziwig's party, where you can waltz and polka (which I did a bit of last weekend....very fun :D), The Victoria and Albert Theater where we watched a shortened but very good Pirates of Penzanze, and where, this week, we'll see the new and improved French Postcards show (funny, tasteful, and of course, 18 and over). And Mad Sal's dockside alehouse (and brothel) where you have the more debaucherous shows. And in between, in the streets filled with food vendors and shops with handmade wears (there is a woven cloak that I am just drooling over...$200 of course) there are characters from Dickens' most famous (and some less famous) works walking the streets, acting through the books. Scrooge comes by our booth with the ghost of Christmas present every day at 2. And then at three, we see Queen Victoria and Prince Edward make their progress through the streets.
The other thing I love about working the pirate booth is that we're at the docks, so we're next to the Sea Dogs (or Paddy West School of Seamanship) stage (sailor themed singing group)....they are so fun. To listen to, dance to, and sing along to. Totally keeps my spirits up when I'm tired.
So, that's Dicken's in a nutshell....more specifics later.
Santa List part two
So I've added a bit to our Santa list, along the lines of what I wrote in my What Would Jesus Buy post: maybe, instead of giving a gift you bought, you can give the gift of time, like an afternoon tea or somehting. Or, if you want to buy something, how about something to help us in our new business venture, like 50 signs from banditsigns.com or three weeks of a classified ad or soemthing. Mostly, we need help with the marketing, and for large and small investors, the things that work the best are signs on telephone poles (bandit signs) and newspaper classifieds.
Also, I am really getting into fiber arts, spinning and crocheting so far, so anything along that line is great too. Maybe a spinning or weaving class or some really great yarn.
Also, I am really getting into fiber arts, spinning and crocheting so far, so anything along that line is great too. Maybe a spinning or weaving class or some really great yarn.
What Would Jesus Buy?
So last week, Jeremy and I saw this documentary "What Would Jesus Buy?". Very funny, and sums up totally how I feel about the things I buy. I highly recommend it, for fun and for food for thought. The activist they follow, Rev. Billy, is not a reverend. I think he called himself a comedic activist? or something like that. Anyway, he's crazy. and its funny to see him be crazy. The actual message comes from interviews with real reverends, which is cool. And the message is really, be aware of the cost of your shopping.
So, to sum up for those of you who are wondering what to get us for Christmas, I don't want to cause undo pressure, but if I had my preference, this is how I would have you shop for us: don't. donate, or if anythng, give us money. Or, if you must, we would love handmade gifts, or gifts bought at a small store, or something made in the US. That way money spent goes back to the local community.
I just don't like big corporations...sure they have low prices, but the cost of those prices is so high....and yes, I do still shop a target occasionally. I'm no saint. But I like this trend of thinking more about the impact of our spending. It goes right along with the other trend I'm followng of thinking about the cost of what I eat. (read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and Fast Food Nation) All this stuff just fits with what Jeremy and I were already leaning towards.
So, to sum up for those of you who are wondering what to get us for Christmas, I don't want to cause undo pressure, but if I had my preference, this is how I would have you shop for us: don't. donate, or if anythng, give us money. Or, if you must, we would love handmade gifts, or gifts bought at a small store, or something made in the US. That way money spent goes back to the local community.
I just don't like big corporations...sure they have low prices, but the cost of those prices is so high....and yes, I do still shop a target occasionally. I'm no saint. But I like this trend of thinking more about the impact of our spending. It goes right along with the other trend I'm followng of thinking about the cost of what I eat. (read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and Fast Food Nation) All this stuff just fits with what Jeremy and I were already leaning towards.
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