And Another Thing . . .
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Thursday, April 15, 2004
Do you know how hard it is to take a photograph from in front of motion-sensitive flood lights?? With boys playing basketball behind you?? (It was about 5:00 and sunny so I think we need to adjust their sensitivity again.) A robin built this nest while we were at work yesterday. (Or should I say robins - do both genders help build?) I should have taken a picture from further back because there are some cool hangy-down parts blowin' in the breeze - about 18" worth.
The painting of Lizz's room continues. Just the touching up and woodwork remains. Oh and the spray painting of the metal bifold closet doors if we can figure out how to get them off the track. This house is filled with bifold doors so we have become pros at this sort of thing - but these are unusual. I'll probably take pictures Saturday - it's supposed to be bright and sunny so all the better for photographs.
I stopped at the library on the way home to pick up my Beardstown Ladies audiobook. It's only two tapes long but already it sounds like the Beardstown ladies are right out of central casting, with no-nonsense advice dispensed in creaky old lady voices. Afterwards I rather spontaneously stopped at The Shabby Shak because I'd been told that Lauren is there on Thursdays. She's the owner, who you'll recall encouraged me to let her frame some of my paper pieces. We've emailed but never met so I stopped in to introduce myself. They are in the midst of remodeling, taking over the back building for another venture and she was in a bit of a tizzy, but I get the feeling she's always that way. She's pretty funny with a good personality. Check this out: she asked me if I'd like to teach classes at her store. Me! You might recall me talking about the little building in back of Shabby Shak that housed Art & Soul Studio, where they teach all kinds of artsy classes. That's where I considered taking a painted furniture class with Gretchen. She has moved to Packet's Landing because she needed more space. So Lauren and a partner are taking over that building again - it's going to be sort of a French themed store she said. So she's turning her current back room into a classroom. Thus the classes for which she needs teachers. I said I'd never taught before but when she mentioned some of the classes only have 4 people, I remembered that I've taught some of my friends to make certain things on a number of occasions. And Jennifer and I taught a group of women at work how to make paper boxes. I've certainly taken enough classes at Stamps to 'Di' For to know how much fun it can be. She doesn't care what I teach - cards, the pictures I've made - whatever. I would make 60% of the class fees and whatever I make on any supplies I offer. I told her I'm definitely interested so she told me to roll it around in my brain for a while and see what I come up with. Right now, I haven't a clue - but I know the right thing will come to me. I'm very excited. She has not framed my pieces yet and she felt bad about it but she's been so busy. I said I was feeling bad that I hadn't given her anything new to frame in a while, I've been so busy. So it all worked out. Sure glad I pulled into that parking lot today!
Dinner: Steve, Lizz, Simon and DJ had veggie burgers and Tater Tots. I had a big salad because there were only 4 burgers. I don't care all that much for Tater Tots anyway and I really love a big plateful of salad, especially with strips of brown sugar smoked ham. slice hard-boiled eggs and a sprinkle of shredded cheddar. Reading: Handmade for Profit, by Barbara Brabec. I just started this yesterday - after I finished Square Foot Gardening, while at Village Gifts. I made some notes and sketches and I think I have a simple, realistic, small garden planned. I'm going to buy the vegetable plants, but maybe I'll start a couple of flowers from seed, just for fun. I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed lately, unable to fully accomplish any one thing to my satisfaction so I thought a reality check was in order.
Listening to in the car: The Beardstown Ladies' Guide to Smart Spending for Big Savings:
How to Save for a Rainy Day Without Sacrificing Your Lifestyle by Beardstown
Ladies' Investment Club, Robin
Dellabough, Beardstown
Ladies. I loved one of the very first things I heard. This is not about
clipping coupons and saving pennies, this is about saving $1000 on a
car, for instance. I'm a mediocre coupon clipper but I've been thinking
about giving it up again. The negativity of the time-consuming-ness of
it outweighs the couple of dollars I save per trip. The scale has been
tipping towards giving it up for a month or so and that one sentence I
heard in that creaky old lady's voice was enough to convince me.
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