Bizarro World

This week felt like the Seinfeld 'Bizarro' episode. Things happened that took me totally by surprise. My husband used a tanning bed for the first time in his life. (We're getting ready for a trip to a warmer climate and he decided to get his 'base' tan down so he doesn't burn.) Also, he bought Pepsi Max for us to drink at home. This is a man who has never drank any soft drink other than regular Pepsi, so when he came home with Pepsi Max I was floored! Bizarro world didn't stop with my husband. My son also did something that made me do a double take. He took his girlfriend to work and then cleaned out her car for her. I mean really cleaned - vacuumed and everything! He's a very nice young man (26) but I've never seen him do so many nice things for a girl. It really makes me feel good that he has it in him to do nice things for her. I hope my bizarro world goes on and on!

Untitled

It was just impossible to name this blog because of all the 'territory' it covers. I considered 'Sad News'; 'The Reality of Retail'; 'Come on People!'; 'Walmart World'; 'I Pledge...'; 'What's it Worth?'.
Let's break all these titles down... first, the 'Sad News' is another one of my favorite shops is closing. The sweet florist/gifts/home accessories shop 'Occasions' is closing its retail store. I have no idea why they are closing, but my guess is the economy got the better of them. This makes me sad for many reasons. 1) I shopped there. 2) The cute little gal who owns it is a nice person with a flair for floral arrangements and decorating. 3) It's another local owned business that is closing its doors. Ah....there it is - another local owned business closing. Did people not know about Occasions? Did people not find the charm inside like I did? Whatever the reason, they are closing. 40-60% off of merchandise - go ahead - swoop in and buy up those bargains now, because down the road your choice of shopping will be Walmart, Target, and other big box (small on service) stores.
So, now on the to 'The Reality of Retail'. In my mind, retail is the good twin and Internet shopping is the evil twin. (Don't shut me out until you hear my whole soap box diatribe.) I understand the necessity of Internet shopping - you've lost your drivers license, you've got a broken right leg and can't operate your car, you live 200 miles from the nearest town, the particular item you want needs to be wrapped in a brown paper bag before leaving the store,
or let's make it simple - you just can't find the specific item (or 'pacific' item as I hear it called).
Things on the Internet are cheaper. Cheaper prices and a lot of times cheaper quality. Do you ever look to see if your purchase is being shipped from overseas? Many are. When you buy a widget on the Internet, do you later have to call the 800# to ask questions about it? Or maybe you bring your widget into a local store and ask them to explain it to you. Local retail stores have a purpose other than selling merchandise. They provide services to consumers - or if they are a good retail store they should provide services. They direct you to the product you want, they answer questions, they demonstrate, they are friendly and helpful. That's what I look for in a retail store and that's what I strive to provide in my own store. Alas, answering questions, demonstrating use of a product, (and smiling all the while) won't pay the rent. People need to patronize the local retail shops. Which brings me to 'Come on People!'.... If you're reading this blog chances are you are already a beader (or blogger). Come on people! I know not every bead store will have everything you want - that's what makes it fun! It's the hunt! It's the quest! It's the camaraderie with your beader friends traveling from bead store to bead store! So come on people - before you log on to FMG looking for a deal - come in. touch. design. find your treasure without waiting for a package in the mail.
I think I'll consolidate 'Walmart World', 'I Pledge...', and 'What's it Worth' into one simple thought. Small business is the life blood of the economy. Is it worth the small savings to buy from the mega stores? There is a small town in Missouri called Kennett. A few years ago they had an adorable town square with shops and eateries. That's all gone. Walmart moved in. Yeah - they created jobs, mainly minimum wage - but at what cost? The mom and pop shops closed. Now the town is as dirty and ugly as you can imagine. My Pledge... is plagiarized from an Internet video I watched. In this video celebrities make pledges to make themselves better people, make their neighborhoods clean and safe, etc. They pledge to make themselves better, which will in turn make our nation greater. There is a web site http://usaservice.org/. where you can log in and find a local event or community organization that needs help. Unfortunately - or fortunately - there was nothing within 50 miles of my home that was listed as needing help.
So, I'll start without the use of a website, I pledge to do something to support the local economy more than I did yesterday. Currently, we buy our groceries at Fareway. We buy our dog food, and a host of other household goods at Theisens. Our small electrical appliances get parts and repairs at Stalker Electric. Home Appliance is the place to look for larger appliances and TVs. My used paperbacks come and go from Basically Books. Hard-cover mysteries can be found at Mystery Cat Books (along with great gift items). I have no qualms about buying 2nd hand - isn't that the best way to re-use and re-cycle? Try Attic Treasures, Curtain Call, Stuff! For art and gifts, there are several great local places like Campbell Steele Gallery. I pledge to support locally owned shops more today than I did yesterday. How about you? What is your pledge? Please share it.

Expressive Brits?

I love to watch the PBS show Antiques Roadshow. (It just goes along with my love of history and art.) While watching it I find the differences between the American version and the BBC version comical. The Americans put their emotions 'out there'. When someone tells me that the vase I bought for $2 at a tag sale is really worth $1,000 - I would be jumping up and down with glee! Big smile - the whole bit. My mind reeling with what to do next. Sell it? Insure it? Display it or hide it? Now, go across the big the pond and picture the English lady who was just informed that a brooch that she bought at an antique shop for 2 quid is valued at 3000 pounds. Her face expressionless at first, then slowly the corners of her mouth turn up slightly - kind of like watching the Grinch when he is plotting how to spoil the Whoville Christmas - then the corners of her mouth revert to the straight firm line and she replies "Well then." Maybe she's in shock - maybe she is worried about getting it home safe from muggers. Whatever she's thinking, she's keeping it neatly tucked inside herself. I'd like to imagine that when she reaches home she draws all the draperies closed, locks all the windows and doors. Then, very lady-like, she prances around the drawing room loudly humming a song that she made up in her head.

Now speaking of ladies dancing....you should all take a look at this clip.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/693644/crazy_dance_lady/%20target

little hawks! and Christmas secrets!

Hawks win Outback bowl! 31-10. Lucy and Daisy watched the game with us. Lucy was very happy with the win. Typical of Daisy, she was a little indifferent.

I haven't blogged for quite awhile. People who don't write blogs but like to read them might not understand that it can be a touchy thing to write a blog. Some bloggers put themselves 'out there' and spout off about everything and anything - offensive and sensitive - egg head and nogg heads. My blog usually is pretty light hearted and trys to stay away from topics that I don't fully understand - which leaves out everything! (not truly - but almost). Also, I love my family and would love to blog more about them. The reasons that I haven't are obvious to me. There were secret things in the works that I didn't want them to read on my blog! Things like the projects I was working on for gifts.
Christmas is over for another year so now I can share what I was most proud of. ....I made a Christmas stocking for my daughter's fiance, Colson. It was a challenge for me, as I really hadn't knit too much of anything for 30 years, let alone a Christmas stocking. Being the virgo I am, I ripped the thing out at least 3 times before I felt it was worthy of staying the course! I know Katie was more excited about it than Colson - it's not really a guy thing.
The story behind the stocking is worth mentioning. My husband's grandma knit all the stockings for our family (aunts, uncles, cousins, sisters, brothers, etc.) Grandma has been gone for around 8 years and no one else in the has tackled the knitted stocking. It took us at least 3 years to find the pattern after she was gone. (When we found it in her belongings I made a dozen copies of it!)
When Katie got engaged early in October, I knew the stocking would be a priority for me. After several false starts, I managed to kick it into high gear and get it done! Thanks to Joan Roberts for explaining some knitting terms to me. Now I'm ready to do it again!