Craft Shows, Anniversaries, & Garage Doors

Hey everyone!

I know, it's been a little longer than I had expected in regards to updating!

So, let's see what has happened...

The week before the first craft show here in Craig, I was still waiting for my stuff to get back from the frame shop. The owner had ordered the sleeves, but of course, Sandy hit the East coast, and guess where she ordered them from? Yep...Jersey. She was in the middle of moving, and had not hooked up cable or Internet since it had hit, so she didn't realize the mess that was going on out there. She called them, wondering where her order was, and they explained that they were underwater, working on generators, and would send it out as soon as possible.
They sent it, but forgot to send it out with a three day rush. Needless to say, I was sweating a little bit, feeling as though it was coming pretty close. The day before the show, I was able to pick up my things. This included the framed pieces for the restaurant as well. After leaving her store, I headed to the mall to ask the owners of the little furniture store if I could piggyback on their Internet connection. They were fine with it, gave me the code, and off I went.
I left the mall, grabbing a cookie dough flavored coffee, and went straight to the restaurant to deliver the pictures.
When I arrived, the owner was not in, but I talked to the manager, who ended up calling and waking up the owner. I felt a little bad, but at the same time, no one was told, so that's not really on me. The owner remembered me and had me leave the pictures there for her to look at and hang. When I brought in the five pictures, there were two men inside eating their late lunch. They thought that I was bringing in a pizza. When they looked at the pictures, asking me if I had taken them (This would not be the last time that I would hear this question over the weekend), and were amazed by what they were seeing. One of them asked me if I was selling them, and when I said that I was trying to, they asked me how much for one of them. I had not sat down to look at the cost to get them printed, matted and framed, so I shot out the number 80. I gave him the last business card that I had on me, and explained that if he wanted to go to the site, that he would be able to buy the print for a lot cheaper. I left and headed home, realizing that I needed to spend a lot of time signing my prints for the show. It took me over two hours to do, but I got it done. Signed, labeled and priced. I was as ready as I was going to be.

The set up for the show was at 7am. I asked Mike for his help, in bringing things in, and helping me find power, and the like. We got there, and started to set things up. I was able to grab an outlet, which made me happy, and then I headed home, as the show wouldn't start until noon.
When the time finally came, I headed in much earlier, just to get things up onto the tables, and set up the Internet connection. Once that was in place, I kept tweaking things on my booth. I have since learned that I need to make some signs that state what else I can do, besides prints. I am hoping that the next couple shows will be better in sales.
I can't complain though, as the weather wasn't bad, and that meant that people wanted to either go out of town, or stay at home. On the first day, it was so slow for everyone. People were complaining that they didn't make what they had the years before. I was happy that I was able to sell one print! A lady came up to me, and wanted to buy the 8x12 print of my eagle. I pulled out my little Square credit card reader, and charged her the $65, but with tax, that made it closer to $70.
The next day was a little busier, but it was still really slow. I wasn't surprised by the speed of things, but then again, I was in a wing, and the wings I have learned, are probably the worst places you can be. The next show, I will be in the center of the mall, where all of the foot traffic will be. I'm going to look forward to that one, as I'll most likely have a better turn out.
Right after the second show here in Craig, I will have a one day show in Hayden. I've still got some work to do, but I think that things are going well. Lots of my cards went out, and I was asked a lot of questions in regards to portrait sittings. I also got to meet the "portrait" photographer in town, who tries to say that he is French, but he's not. From everyone that I have talked to, no one likes his work, or him. I told Mike that I couldn't help but feel as though he was just a creepy guy, who tried to talk to me seven times, but when he talks to you, it's more of a rambling that he does with himself, and you are forced to listen. There was nothing that I could add to the conversation. But I am not threatened by him, and I wonder if he is of me. Guess we shall see.

Mike told me that his boss, Kyle and his wife went to the restaurant and saw the pictures on the walls. I haven't been in since dropping them off, so I'm glad that they did hang them up. I've had a few people tell me that they will most likely be getting on my site, and ordering a few things. That brings a smile to my face, as most people have said that they liked my work, and that they'd order things, but never do, causing me to question my ability to take good photos. I know that I do good work, but I'm a little insecure, and I'm only human. I'm learning to fix that about myself, and soon enough, things will be picking up! This I am sure!

After the house warming party, my best friend, Ana had gotten engaged! It was so stinking cute how it all played out. Her, now fiance, made this website and had her answer questions over a course of three days. On day one, by the end of the questions, she was treated to a long massage! After the end of day two, she was taken dress shopping and by the end of day three, she was engaged! It was certainly unique and clever and I must say that I was super ecstatic for her! I can't wait to see the wedding planning and the wedding! Her ring is gorgeous too! Yay!

Mike and I had our three year anniversary coming up, and I had no idea what to do for him this year. I suddenly became creative! I know, I know, you're thinking...When are you not creative? Anyways, during the first day of the craft show, given how slow it was, I started working on one project for him. We were given a blank journal for Christmas years ago, and it was still left unused. I grabbed it and started to write things about him that I loved in the blank pages. When things got busier at the show, or when I knew that Mike was off of work, I put it away to focus on those around me. After the show, I was at home, writing as much and as quickly as I could, to try and finish the project in time. The other project that I was trying to figure out how to make, was a framed picture that I will post the picture here in a moment.
The book was tough too, as I was feeling as though I was running out of things to say, as I was trying not to repeat myself. Then I had an idea. I started to look up famous love letters, including the one that our vows were from, as well as excerpts from books and movies about love, that I agreed with, loved and felt embodied our relationship. I finished the book, cover to cover, within two days...two and a half if you count the craft show day.
Mike loved the book! He is still reading it, little by little, every day. I'm glad that he loved it, as I was a little concerned that it might be a little lame. He disagreed with me!

The picture was a little challenging. The idea was to take words that were significant to you and your significant other, whether it was your vows, first song, whatever. I chose our song, and copied the words several times into word until it filled the page. After that was done, I searched in the computer program Paint to find a tree picture that I could use as the base image to crop the words into...couldn't do it. My second thought was, 'Hey, just draw a tree on some paper, and cut it out'. Yeah, I've since learned that I cannot draw to save my life...
I had one other option, before using my pathetic looking tree, and that was to ask Ana for help. Ana's creative and is a graphic design artist, so I asked her for help. Sure enough, she could do it, and I was one step closer in finishing the project for our anniversary!

Now, each day, Mike would come home from work, and ask me what I've done all day. Not in the bad way like, "What have you been doing all day?! There is a speck of dust! Wasting your days away!" Not like that, but more in the casual, "How was your day", type of way. Everyday that I was working on the projects, all I would say was "Working on projects". He would ask, of course, what those projects were, but I wouldn't tell him.
On Saturday, once I had most of everything, since I still needed to buy a frame for the picture, I asked him if he wanted to have lunch together. I also figured that since I had talked about coming down to the Springs for a day or two that I would need to get my oil changed, and Mike had been telling me to do it for a while now, so since I was out and about, I decided to do that too.
Now during our lunch in the hospital cafeteria, I looked out the window door and saw this little cat walk up to the door, sit down and stare inside. I asked Mike if I should let him in, as I'm sure that the hospital would like to have a resident cat. It would help patients heal faster, right?! Mike had told me no...lame.

"I know you're in there!" - Cat

We had lunch, then I was calling places in town to see who could work on Mazdas. I found one, and they had no waiting. So I headed over, and they began to service my vehicle. I was in and out in fifteen minutes! Record for me! After that was finished, I headed to Walmart.

Walmart was a cluster of "fun". People were scrambling to grab the items that they needed for Thanksgiving and whatnot. It was loud, people were being stupid, and I was about ready to walk out, without our much needed groceries and the frame that was most important.
I braved it out though, as I got everything I needed. I also picked up some beads and cords to make some necklaces. I had not made anything with beads in a long time, so I was surprised at my sudden desire to do so. I picked up three different beads and cords. I made them within a couple minutes a piece. I even wore one on our anniversary!

I wore this one on our anniversary. It's a heart...in case it's a bad picture.

This has two dragonflies on it, and is pink.

It's blue, and I'm not sure if it is water grass, or peacock feathers...

 

 

When I got home from Walmart, I had no will to finish the picture. I was mentally and physically drained from the store, so I decided that I would finish it up on Sunday, while Mike was watching football, or something. It didn't take me very long to finish. I had to use my sewing kit to stitch in the threads of the 'rope' and attach the hearts to it, but other than that, it was pretty much a done deal. I spent five minutes finishing it up, and enjoyed the rest of the relaxing day with Mike, as he watched football. Yay...Go Quizz! Go Tebow! Go Succop! Those would be the names that I cheer on, as I watch with Mike. He laughs at me, and then the game changes to teams that I don't care about.

 

Here's the picture!

 

 

The morning of our anniversary, Mike and I exchanged gifts. He loved the book, as I mentioned and loved the picture. We're still trying to figure out where to hang it, but I think it turned out really well! I also thanked Ana, several times, telling her that I owed her coffee or lunch or something. If it wasn't for her help, my tree would look twisted and gnarled like something from a haunted forest. Not something that says 'Love'...unless you're twisted and gnarled I suppose....well, I know people like that, so I suppose it could have worked out well...and there's a tangent...sorry!

Mike had given me the complete series of Boy Meets World, as I have been wanting to get it for a while. We watched two episodes last night, and he thought it was cute. I have a feeling it's one of those shows that he will sit through to appease me, but he's going to suffer through it all...Ah, that's love...

 

We stuck around the house for the morning and afternoon, as we tried to play a video game together, but because it's one that we have played several times, I got bored, and Mike was falling asleep. So, Mike got up and took a nap, and I got on the computer to start working on my stories online. After about 30-50 minutes, Mike got up, and we talked about getting ready to head to Steamboat.

When we got to Steamboat, we headed to the movie theater and got tickets to watch Skyfall. The last movie that we had seen together in the theater was Star Trek...in 2009. I had seen a few movies with the girls in the dollar theater. The theater was pretty quaint, and there was a woman holding 9 seats for her family...they hadn't even showed yet. We sat down in a couple seats and when the family showed, they used my chair as a handrail, and then one of the kids smacked me upside the head accidentally as they took probably half of the movie to settle down. Aside from that, we enjoyed ourselves.

Skyfall was a good movie. I haven't seen Quantum of Solace yet, so I can't say for certain if it's the best Bond movie that I have seen, but it was good. I think it could have done with a little more editing, as Mike agreed, but it was still good.

After the movie, we headed to one of the more upscale Japanese restaurants, and I had some sushi, while Mike had some Thai. We ordered a bottle of plum wine, which was really good! Once dinner was over, we headed back to Craig, stopping at the store for some champagne and whatever else we were low on, then to the grocery store for some orange juice, dessert for Thanksgiving our anniversary. When we got home, Mike made some Mimosas, as I was thinking it sounded good at the sushi place, and we had some dessert, finishing up a great day.

 

Yesterday, I got up and started to clean the house, started laundry, and saw that Mike had texted me to tell me that we were going to have someone come by after lunch to work on the garage door, the one that I use that has no motor. I have to manually open the door and lock it. The past few times that I have opened it, it has gotten jammed due to the lock not opening all the way, and getting stuck in the track. It's quite frustrating...So, Mike called a company that was highly recommended by his boss, and they called on our anniversary talking about doing it then, but Mike said no. So, they came yesterday. I finished the house, just in time, to be able to have lunch and wait for them to show up.

As I waited for them to arrive, I started to work on the yard outside. As I mentioned before, when we moved in, the previous owners allowed these weeds to grow into bushes. These weeds look like mini sunflowers. As pretty as they may seem, they attract so many bees and wasps! They also start to build nests into the house's siding...they mentioned when we did the walk through that all we had to do was spray killer on them, then knock them down. My first thought was, "Or you could get rid of all these freaking weeds, and the problem will go away", but whatever. So, now that it's snowed a couple of times, and it's Autumn, they are dead, and have no bees threatening to sting you each time you approach them. So as I waited, I started to pull them out of the ground. From the beginning of the drive way, all the way down to the house, up the side of the house. Once they were all pulled, I started to bag them up.



As I was doing this, the garage door guy had come and started working on the door. Three hours and seven bags later, we were both done. Yay! Clean yard and a working door! Mike had stopped by the store on his way home, and when he got home, he didn't notice the yard. I had to point it out to him. However, in his defense, he was thinking of the garage door, and not looking at his surroundings.

Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and we've scaled back on how much food to prepare. It's going to be the first Thanksgiving in the new house, and I'm hoping things go well. We shall see.

So, I'm thinking that about sums it all up. Not much else is going on. I'm hoping to be able to head down to the Springs in a week or so, but I'll have to see for certain.

Until next time!