Friday, May 29, 2009

Temporary Technical Problems

Oh, first - I am not a bad mom because I didn't pack a lunch. They DO serve lunch on minimum days. Theron just has a creative grasp of reality at times. Now I can just feel guilty about other things.
My computer is in the hospital because that stupid WinPC Antivirus Virus tried to kill it. I don't even remember downloading anything. All I look at online are crafts. I think I was browsing vintage buttons when everything shut down. McAfee deleted a bunch of stuff but not enough and before long I couldn't even get it into safe mode. Can these people be sued?
When I get back up - hopefully TODAY - I have some pictures of the booth and other things. I can't believe I never got a picture of Emily while she was here but I have a full album in my heart. We had a grand time getting spa treatments, drinks with the girls, naps. Aaaahhhhh....

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Happy Birthday to Me, the Worst Mom in the World

It's May. Almost June. I found out TODAY from my son that on minimum days (every Wednesday and for special occasions like Open House tonight) the kids don't eat lunch in the cafeteria and you have to send a lunch. Theron said he just forgot to tell me. So when I would pick him up on Wednesdays and he would beg me to stop for food I would tell him to wait. Aaarrrgghhhh!!!! He's growing! He needs food! My son needs food! I can't believe this! I call this Everything I Know About Being Wrong I Learned From Being a Mother.

Okay, now the good news. Our company's two day presence at the conference was a HUGE SUCCESS! Technically we're still in the red but we came a LONG WAY towards the black. And we got a lot of really useful, positive feedback. And some orders. And a lot of love. We saw a bunch of old friends from all over and met lots of new people. Not complaining, but I'm so exhausted and I feel like I've had my ass kicked with steel-toed boots. but yaaaaayy yaaaayyyy us...

One More Day

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Day one of the booth went great! Saw lots of old friends. Got lots of great feedback. Sold a bunch. Collapsed.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Loaded

Inherent Vice Squad has a booth! Pictures to come. Ashley helped me unload and he also helped IVS save $115 in union labor. Still doing last minute things here at home and hoping to be ready for tomorrow, 10:30 am. And so I don't forget, Happy Birthday, Grandpa Flip. We love you lots.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Not... Complaining

Theron this week:

- Me: Are you going to have a good day?
Theron: How am I supposed to know, I'm not a fortune teller!

- Theron to our receptionist at work after calling me 3 times, "Tell me if this is getting old".

-Theron climbing in the car on a hot day, "Must. Survive. Not. complaining."

I'm not complaining either but ahem, I do have a few words about crafting with a purpose. Not being a business person really there has been a lot to learn. Such as figuring out how much materials cost. I can add and divide and figure out what each finished product costs, in the abstract. What I didn't figure was how much stuff gets lost in the carpet, how many perfect pieces get ruined because the sewing machine sucked them into the bobbin case, how many things get lost in the house and I have to replace them so I can keep working. Then, estimating my time, I can figure it takes an hour to do something but I wasn't figuring the time to rip it out and start over, losing my templates and having to cut another, having to take the sewing machine apart because it sounds like a guinea pig who spotted a head of lettuce.

It's hard, too, because now that we've explored the wonder that is the fabric district, not just the big stores, but the little ones with boxes stacked to the ceilings, I've found wonderful things that give me ideas that must be put on hold. For instance, I found this one place that has every kind of elastic in every color you can imagine. I can't even tell you where my mind goes with this stuff.

Anyway, must. work. still. happy.

Monday, May 04, 2009

Cold Steel and A Warm Feeling

Today 40 pounds of steel shot from an online reloading store arrived on the doorstep. That's only a little less than what Theron weighs and I can't pick him up either. I'm in love. It's so beautiful, like those candy cake decorations. It has such a pleasing shape. It has a pleasing sound as the pellets slide against each other. A pleasing weight that makes crafting a 'feel the burn' activity. Packing tape was not enough to keep its big loveliness from splitting the seams of the box or the plastic caps that were glued to the bottles.

Sunday, May 03, 2009

Temporary Insanity

The Birdyhead family is fine and well, but things are chaotic as I get ready for our booth, the debut of Inherent Vice Squad, on the 19th. So, anyway, haven't had time to write. Hopefully I can post some pictures soon to show you guys what's been taking up all my time.