A look into the crazy, sometimes bewildering life on the road as a traveling artist...along with some chatty bits about making two-family home work for EVERYBODY.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Happy New Year 2009
Christmas 2008
We arrived at Deb's house shortly after 1 p.m. and unloaded the van. We almost had to make this trip in the Miata--I can't imagine how that would have gone. I had made the dinner stuff the night before and put the turkey breast in the oven in the morning. SO, everything basically had to be heated up, hopefully without drying it all up.
Deb had everything decorated beautifully. I lit the candles and popped things in the oven and waited for the party to start! Deb and Jan were in Orlando with Bo and his family, but, were expected to be back sometime on Friday.
After dinner, while opening gifts we received a call from the Iowa Turbots which enabled Rod Sr. to scratch another thing off his list of things to get done. Cody and I took a nice walk to work off dinner and hopefully walk off some of Bonnie's steam. Shortly after, Rod's parents headed back home while we made sure all the candles were blown out. Another Christmas for the books.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Sunday, December 21st, 2008
"Do you need a hand with anything?", I holler out.
"No, I've got it!", he yells back.
A minute later he is rounding the corner as I look up and I see a gorgeous cluster of red roses.
"Oh, those are so pretty. What's the occassion?"
"You better read the card..."
And of course as I look at the card I realize it's my anniversary and I have completely forgotten. Argh, bad wife! But maybe understandable given the craziness of the past week...maybe!
23 Wonderful Years!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Roger and Richele--the Rest of the Week, Dec. 17-20, 2008
Saturday, was the last day and unfortunately I had a soap class booked with a couple from Jacksonville--they were fun and the time flew by so quickly. So, the kids and Rod headed out for the beach and ended up getting back about 2pm. I haven't seen the pictures yet, but, I will find a couple to add here. I had made a couple dips so we ate munchies instead of lunch. Then Richele and I headed out to the shopping village at Disney for the last couple of things she needed. We decided to head to the airport early seeing as it was probably going to be a busy Christmas travel day. That almost guaranteed R&R would be sitting for a couple hours waiting on the plane. As it turned out, there was a problem with Richele's ticket and it looked like she might have to fly standby--but all turned out well. The plane took off about a half hour late, but, they are heading back to Illinois (safe and sound we hope!!!).
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Roger and Richele, Dec. 13-16, 2008
Rog and Richele arrived with no problems from the cold North on Saturday afternoon. It was kinda cool even though Rod wore shorts and short sleeves to the airport. I had on jeans and a jacket...and was just right.
Rog and I stopped and got some munchie type groceries on the way home from the airport while Rod got Richele situated at the house and "conditioned" to the animals. She walked out carrying Emily so that didn't seem like it was gonna be a problem.
We decided to do some Christmas shopping at the outlet mall on Sunday. It was packed with shoppers--lots of the foreign variety with ten bags...taking everything out of their boxes so it will all fit in their luggage. LOL We didn't find anything we couldn't live without--well those stuffed Eyores at the Disney store WERE really cute!
Pretty view of the castle with the trolley.Monday I had a doctor appointment early (more nagging about the weight issue and consequences of diabetes if I don't get it under control...bummer) and then the three of us headed out to the Magic Kingdom to ride the roller coasters. We saw Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain and Pirates all in about 1 hour and 15 minutes. We grabbed a quick lunch--they have these new express order things...like an ATM that you can order your burger, fries and coke and check out quick. R&R got turkey legs that looked so yummy--but I thought the temporary crowns would not like all that chewing. I had enough time to do the Haunted Mansion with them before I caught a ride home with Rod when he got off. The kids ended up staying out there until about 5pm. and then joined us at home for dinner of brats on the grill.
The possums from Splash Mountain...love them!!!
Tuesday they decided to take a day off from the parks and go to the Beach. It was a perfect beach day--about 80 degrees forecast at Cocoa Beach. The water was cool, but, not too bad when it was warm on the beach. They picked up shells and ate at our favorite place over there (Rusty's at the Port). They made it home just in time for a quick supper of shrimp wraps and some spinach dip.
From Pirates of the Caribbean...Johnny Depp character and my favorite thing at this ride...the pirate sitting on the wall with the dirty oh-so-life-like feet!!!
The plan for the rest of the week is as follows: Jackie has a temporary crown fitting on Wed. followed by the permanent crowns on Thursday. We are going out to Disney's Property Control to get some good deals on Christmas presents for Richele. Then R&R are going out to Universal Studios thanks to Patti and Tim who traded some tickets with us. Thursday Rod and I have eye doctor business in the afternoon so we will probably hang out at the pool or such and then we are going to an Orlando Magic ballgame. Friday all day the four of us plan to do the Disney Christmas party and hopefully stay long enough to see the Christmas light display at the Studio. Can't wait for that. We will probably just sleep in on Saturday, have a big breakfast and then try to get them to the plane on time! Wish us luck and STAMINA!!!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Life... December, 13, 2008
First you may remember, we are recovering from the Power Surge that occured on Oct. 19th. No news on a dollar amount from the power company yet, but, we are hopeful they will be generous. Ha!!
Then, of course you know it is Christmas, so we are all spending a bit of money making sure it is merry and bright for everyone around us.
I decided to get those two new crowns while we have good dental insurance despite still paying off the new windows....argh...what is wrong with us????
Well, then the van brakes go out...actually it feels like the whole braking system went out with a $800 estimate to get it back in working order. UNTIL, the mechanic calls and says another part is bad but OOPS they don't make it anymore. Well, after all it IS a 1994 vehicle...I guess they have to quit making parts at some point! So, now we are hoping they find a used "dampener" from the master cylinder to get it back to us sometime before my shows start back in January.
SO, off to that mechanic again to get the clutch and brakes fixed on the little Honda. What could that cost...hmmmm....my guess was $600-700. BUT NO!!! Let's double that amount and then add a few hundred dollars more...and Viola!! A car that runs. Well, don't count the speedometer cable that sounds as if we have a crew of gerbils running under the hood keeping tabs of the speed. LOL
Rod has reminded me MANY TIMES today that we are lucky...or rather that one day our luck will return. I am trying so hard to "secret" our good luck back. Would you all please cross a finger or two, say a prayer, rub some beads or do anything to send good vibes our way???
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Soap Cyber Monday, December 8, 2008
Some new end piece samplers I put together for Cyber Monday.
Tallahassee Market Days, December 6 & 7, 2008
Same with my sculptor friend, Haydn. His gang of characters really talk to me--especially since I have now inspired him to make a soap dish too! LOL I am right next to him all weekend so I have plenty of time to make a selection. So, I have a new guy for Josephina to talk to now...as you can see from the picture.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Dining Room Remodel complete! December 3, 2008
Gainesville O'Connell Center Craft Show, November 29 & 30, 2008
Saturday, the show was really busy. I am pretty sure I benefitted with the Two Sisters soap company (actually I am not sure of the name, but, it was Suzy and Susan who ran it!) being out of business. I gave out lots of samples to their old customers and hope I can sway some of them to start buying from me. Cross fingers. Our soap is similiar...we used to trade soaps back in the day. The show was over at 6 pm--way too late for a craft show. We were slow by 3 pm and by 4 pm it was vendors only shopping!
I had dinner at the Bonefish Grill. Actually I had a mojito there and took out a couple appetizers for dinner! Yummy!! Once back at the hotel I settled in to watch a movie on HBO...when my glasses broke. Dang it. It's lucky that I hadn't ordered new contact lens after my appointment on Tuesday.
Sunday morning I was up early and watched a movie on HBO before getting ready for the show. The show started at 10am and at about 9:30 I locked my keys in the car and unfortunately my spare key was locked in the car in my purse! Oh CRAP. I called AAA for a key assist and made it to the show about 11:15. Several of my craft buddies were worried, but, aside from being soaked from the rain, I was fine. I wonder how many sales I lost in that hour plus?
The show Sunday was slower than Saturday, but, when my receipts were all counted up Sunday night, I ended up having the best show ever at the O'Connell Center. Yippee! Thanks to you all! The trip back to Orlando was miserable. The pack out went smoothly...luckily. But any time I saved during load up was lost in the two hour and forty five minute trip home. Yuck.
One more show to go!!!!
Thanksgiving 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Jacksonville Show, November 22 & 23, 2008
The most exciting news this past week has been the COLD weather we are having here in Florida. For those of you in the North, I apologize--it's still warm here by your standards. But, anytime we Floridians have to change out of shorts and flip flops--IT IS COLD!
I have been walking Bonnie with a jacket because when we leave for the walk it is closer to 40 than to 50 degrees. Today was the first day it was over 50, but, I kept the jacket on for about a mile before shedding it to keep from sweating and then cooling down too fast. Bonnie was sad--none of her dog buddies were out and about this morning.
My show this weekend was disappointing, but, not unexpected. The Morocco Shrine show has never been a great one for me, basically just a way to fill an open weekend. That is not to say that the folks that put on the show are not wonderful. They give you hotdogs, cookies and sweet tea when you set up on Friday night. They allow you to park overnight at their property--they even have hookups for the crafters in RVs. Very nice!
I was between two booths selling jewelry. There was a TON of jewelry there and despite my attempts to be one of only two people selling soap, there were FOUR of us. Too bad for a show that is so small. None of the soap people make any money and it leaves a bad taste in my mouth when they tell you there will be two and there is double that.
I did get to the mall both Friday and Saturday night to see movies. I caught the new James Bond movie first. It was GREAT. I really have come around to liking the new guy as 007. He rocks. Then on Saturday night I tried to see "The Secret Life of Bees" but it was only playing in the morning. SO, I went to see that vampire movie "Twilight". I was pleasantly surprised. Very entertaining and a good story line....and I think a good series for teenagers to be into reading. The young guy who played the vampire was perfect. I still can't believe it is $10 to see a movie up in Jax, I still pay $6 in Orlando!!!
Camping out those two nights was fun--it got down in the 40's both nights so my sleeping bag and fleece were definitely appreciated. I woke up at 4:30am on Friday--my hat came off and left me cold. But, once I had it back on, I snuggled into the bag and warmed right up.
Well, this week it is Thanksgiving. I have a show in Gainesville this weekend, so, I won't be going anywhere to celebrate. I hope Rod will go up to his parent's house to visit...no reason he shouldn't when he has Friday and Saturday off. I usually try to start my shopping this weekend at the stores in G'ville and then finish off up in Tallahassee the next weekend so I can get things in the mail. I am still not sure where I will be for Christmas, but, the first of the soapmaking classes in December just booked. Yippee!!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Fireplace Weather--Florida Style, November 17, 2008
The cold snap is supposed to last through the weekend...yippeeeeee!!!!
On another front, we called the power company for the third time with no response. So tomorrow I will venture up the chain of command to hopefully get some information. If only the linemen could write the claim check, we would have had this finalized back on October 19th. Grrrr!