Saturday, October 31, 2009

Things I miss!




There are certain things you begin to miss when you move a considerable distance. People of course are one of those things, but with all of the modern technologies available to us, we can talk to, hear from and even see, via video chats, these people dear to us daily if we so desire. It’s the places and such that you can’t really connect with or expect a visit from. So this is my list of things and places I miss….

Currently topping my list is Trader Joes! I live in one of the biggest states in the US and there is not one Trader Joes in the whole stinking state!!! I am thinking about sending them a little letter to let them know that there are people in Texas that would LOVE a Trader Joes, and that they should start by putting one in San Antonio!

Papa Haydn/Jo bar Raspberry Lemon Drop Martini, If they could ship them, I’d be ordering them in gallons!

The Decorette Shop, The best little hole in the wall cake decorating, chocolate selling, sprinkle peddlers ever!

Fred Meyers! Yes, we have Super Target, but it’s just not the same… I miss Fred Meyers! H.E.B is nice, but it’s not Fred Meyers! If you’ve spent most of your life shopping at one, you’ll know what I mean…

Burgerville Chocolate Milkshakes! I will allow that I haven’t lived here long enough to discover if there is anything here comparable, but so far… nope!

My hair stylist Linda Carlson!!! I am in need of a haircut, haven’t had one since we moved. I do have a few gals who have said they have a good one for me to try and they all do look good, so it’s hopeful, but I LOVED Linda! Emily was even trying to figure out how we could get her to move to Texas!

New Seasons Market… They had the best selection of cheese! I could always find something different and yummy! The only natural food store here is Whole Foods and it is quite a ways away. I am sure I will make a trek over there on of these days, but for now….

Artisan bakeries! You can find a Mexican bakery on just about any corner, but I want crusty European style artisan made bread! What you get at Super Target or H.E.B really doesn’t cut it! I want Grand Central bakery or Kens artisan bread!!!

St. Honore Bakery.. A real French croissant, made by a Frenchman! Don’t even get me started on the quiche!

Saint Cupcake… The yummiest indulgence!

Pasta Works! Fresh pasta! The real thing… this isn’t grocery store stuff! Amazing cheese selection and artisan salami!

Papa Haydn! Yes, I know I mentioned them above, but they were always my favorite place to go and eat! Didn’t matter if it was with Bob and or girlfriends’, it was the best place and never got boring. You can’t find a better more decadent dessert in all of Portland!

Kink radio! I have been listening to the same station since I was 18! It defies a single genre, stays current and interesting without ever becoming predictable. I love that the music spans the 40 years that they have been on the air without sounding like an oldies station or a top 40’s station. Thankfully they have a live stream I can listen to on-line (which is what I am doing right now!). I don’t mind the stations here, but have yet to find anything I like besides a couple country stations. They are fine for a while, but run top 40’s so it gets repetitious after awhile.

I am sure if I sat here long enough I could make quite a list, but these are the ones that top my thoughts currently. I am sure that I will find “MY” places here eventually, but for now, I can’t help but think of the things I miss a little. Too bad you can’t bring them with you!

Happy Halloween!

I'll admit that I NEVER thought I would put a costume on one of my animals, but with a good bit of prodding from my teenage daughter we came home from Target with this bargain model! I must say she looks kind of cute and was rather unaffected by having it on! She occasionally shook her head making her hat go off center, but other than that, I think she may have liked playing dress-up! Quinn wore a bandanna, his version of a cowboy outfit! One little kid asked where his hat was, but we explained he didn't want to wear a hat!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Something I can Support...

I added the link below because it is a company I have supported for several years now. The owner of this company is an awesome woman who has worked very hard to make an on-line business work in a very competitive market. I have long been inspired by her drive, ethics and overall business savvy. For me, putting up this link isn't about whether or not I sell cosmetics, it's about anyone who takes the time to handcraft items and sell them as their own. It's about protecting being an artisan, no matter what your market may be. For the lampworking world it is a constant struggle to educate consumers about what true artisan made lampwork beads are and how to tell the difference between quality and cheaply made imports. Different items, same struggles!

Even if you aren't interested in reading the entire link I posted, if you wear make-up, I highly recommend Aromaleigh Mineral Make-up! I've been wearing it for years, my 15 year old daughter wears it, as does my mother!

Why I started the Mutiny… and why I won’t yet award myself a badge!

Why I started the Mutiny… and why I won’t yet award myself a badge!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

My Head Hurts!

Just when you start to get on a roll and get things going, it always seems like there is something waiting in the wings to try and derail your efforts. For me it's my migraine headaches. They are a frequent occurrence in my life. One that I am fairly well armed to deal with given the plethora of expensive pharmaceuticals available to me to take care of these brain splitting wonders. Even with medical insurance I still pay a pretty penny to rid myself of this pain. The meds work most of the time, but not all of the time. Herein lies the problem. I am on my second dose of migraine meds, enough to put down an African elephant, and given the fact that I am not a very large person, this is a lot of medication! I have also tried my back up pain med's, which have done nothing. It kind of feels like a big waste of money since now I have ingested the maximum migraine medication I can take in a day and I still have a significant headache. I thankfully am not to the point of heading off to the local ER for a shot of pain medication. That is a trip I really dislike, since it usually takes forever, ends up costing a bit even with insurance and my body dose not like the pain meds at all!

I really thought I was going to be able to get somethings done this week! I could have taken pictures today, it was beautiful outside, but the sunshine was too bright for my head. I went out for a bit to run some errands , and by the time I got home my head was pounding worse than it was when I left! I have a couple of projects I really want to get finished up and I really want to get out in that darn garage so I can organize and make room for my lampworking table!!! I need to melt some glass! Headache or not! I've been away from a torch way too long!

OK, I just needed to rant and rave about my head! No one really needs to listen or read this, I just needed to say it out loud! If you read this far, thanks for listening! Hopefully I will have more new listings trickling into my Etsy shop as the week progresses. My in-laws are visiting next week, so I may not have as many listings while they are here,I want to enjoy their company, I really like them!

Monday, October 26, 2009

New Listings and a Sneak Peek!

I have put a few new listings in my Etsy shop and will continue to put up a few everyday. I still need to take more photos, but as I sit here at the computer and look out the window behind the monitor, it is raining quite steadily. I won't be able to take any more pictures today, but it looks like the rest of the week promises to be sunny and in the 70's. I did get some photos taken a few days ago, but neglected to check the battery on my camera before I started and the darn thing died after a few pieces! At least I got enough good stuff to get me started this week, and give me time to work on some more pictures as the week progresses. I am going to get some new photo editing software as well, but for some reason the disc drive on my brand new computer isn't working! I need to have Bob call the tech service people and see if we can't get that bug worked out. Cant load a new program with out that!

I have two promos to offer as I re-open my Etsy shop. The first one is a progressive discount sale, basically the more you buy the more you save...For purchases of 2-3 items you will receive a 20% discount, 4 or more items and I will give you a 30% discount. The discount will come in the form of a refund to your PayPal account that I will send after the transaction is completed, usually within 24 hours.

The other promo I have to offer is if you sign up for my mailing list here on the right hand side of my blog AND make a purchase, I will include free first class shipping on your order! This is in addition to any sale discount. By signing up for my mailing list you will be sent a newsletter alerting you of any up coming sales in advance, as well as giving you access to private, mailing list only sales. I will not be sending out a newsletter weekly to clog up your mailbox, or give, sell or otherwise distribute your private information. Just put "Mailing List", in your notes to seller to take advantage of this offer.

Please note that my normal method of shipping is USPS Priority mail and this is the less expensive, slightly slower method. If you still desire Priority mail as your shipping method, I can refund you the difference between the two shipping methods, and still send your package via Priority mail. I will verify that you have signed up for the mailing list prior to giving the discount and then refund the shipping that is automatically charged at check out via PayPal within 24 hours.

I have lots of new things to list and many more things I am working on! I have found an awesome glass studio here in San Antonio and I am signed up to take a number of lampworking classes over the next few months. I have a brand new torch and an oxygen concentrator on the way! I should be back out melting glass and working hard on my bead making skills very shortly. Hopefully I will have something of my own to offer some time after the beginning of the year! Thanks for stopping by! Sign up for my mailing list over on the right side of this page!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

I Live in Texas????

That seems to be the question I keep asking myself. I know I am not where I used to be, but I am really not certain where I am now. Yes, I know geographically on a map where I am, but if you've ever moved a considerable distance, I have a feeling you may know what I am talking about. It's pleasant and all. The sun shines almost everyday, it is October and it is still in the upper 70's, if not 80's or 90's on a daily basis. Only once have I walked into my house and it felt warmer inside than it did outside. All of this is fine and dandy, but it doesn't feel like home, not yet anyway. Our house is starting to feel like our own home and not a hotel or someone else's house that we are living in. I don't have to use my GPS to get around on a daily basis, only when I am going somewhere I haven't been before. We really do like it here and everyone is getting settled in nicely. But I do occasionally find myself asking the question "Where am I?".

My daughter who thought the whole world was coming to an end and that no one could possibly under stand what it was like "for her" to have to move, already has plenty of friends, goes on sleepovers, to the movies etc. I have yet to even have coffee with another adult besides my husband. I do very much appreciate him and the fact that we enjoy going and doing things together. We try and get out once a week and explore a different area, try a new restaurant, look for a new international food store etc. However, I have always told him he is every thing, EXCEPT a good girlfriend!

I have most of the boxes out of the house. The garage though remains a wild new frontier still waiting to be conquered. I am trying to use my VERY strong desire to get back on my torch and melt glass as a motivation to get out there and put things in place so I have a spot to work in. I am ultimately going to have a studio in the house, but that requires some modifications, which we won't be able to do until after the beginning of the year. Until then I will be back out in the garage, at least it's the cool part of the year! I'd die if it was summer and I was out there in jeans, close toed shoes, a long sleeve shirt and a leather apron! I even have a brand new torch just sitting here looking at me, all new and shiny.. I have to buy an oxygen concentrator before I can use this thing, so again I have to wait!

I should have my Etsy shop up and running in the next week. I need to take photos and the weather has been less than cooperative the past couple of days. Looks like tomorrow will be a good day, so I will try to get some pictures taken then. If all goes well I may have some new listings up by Monday! Sorry it has taken me so long, but I really needed to take the time to make sure that my family was settled before I started things backup. I didn't give a time frame for when I would re-open my shop because I had no idea how long that would take. It actually didn't take as long as I thought it would, so now I get to work on my life!!!

Sorry I don't have any pictures to make this post more interesting, but if waited to have those it was going to take me days longer to get around to doing this and since it has been months since my last blog post I thought I'd better do something. I have added a mailing list on the right hand side of my blog. I am going to have a special offer for signing up for my mailing list and making a purchase after my shop opens. I will have the details in my Etsy shop and I will also list them here. Thanks for stopping by. I will put up a new post when I have new listings in my shop!

 
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