Chatterbox Thread-Cmon in and Jabber! Everyone is Welcome!

[MotoXPrincess99]

Good Morning! Happy Monday!

I have been making (crocheting) scarves for Christmas presents the last few weeks. I'm getting pretty quick at them and they turn out pretty cute. I'm thinking of opening an etsy.com account and trying to sell some.

 

[sameyeyam]

Bernice,
Today we drove to the mountains to buy our Christmas tree. Snow everywhere, and as we were leaving it started to snow. So pretty.

Ali, Thanks for inquiring about my sister. Actually things are not good. Had another cat scan this week and the cancer has spread. I just learned last week, that she has lived longer than predicted. I get pretty teary eyed at times. Today was a hard one, so it's nice to know that others are praying and thinking of you. Thankyou!

Kelly, I going to check out your TR!

So sorry Melody that your sister is not doing well. Hugs to you and your family, as I know this must not be easy for you.

Morning and happy Monday!

Back to reality today. It has been so nice having this LONG break. After being off so long in Florida it was nice to come back and have yet another week off for the girls school break. It was really nice to relax and not have them be back in school and to kind of be able to get back to normal a bit from our trip.

All good things must come to end though and today is full on back to reality LOL. The girls have school and I have to go to work. Luckily the only good part is it is min days all week for parent teacher conferences. And I am still feeling really crappy. Mom got sick while we were in Florida (she manages to do that every time) and she gave it to me. Some type of cold that doesn't want to go away. And so I am glad I am only going to be out for a short time. The only part I am NOT looking forward to is having to go BACK out later this afternoon to take Shelby to piano. And her teacher wants to make up for the 2 lessons she missed. One while we were gone and then she missed LAST monday because HE was out of town. The only problem is if I don't get Shelby's conference apt today (her teacher didn't give me the list till we were already gone for our trip) then I won't know when to sched it. So we shall see but I am not looking forward to it. I know she needs to make up the time but honestly this week I don't feel like it LOL.

Plus we have our soccer end of year party tomorrow night and a big tournament this weekend. It is supposed to rain starting on Wed through the weekend so I don't know how that will affect the tournament but the girls are supposed to play 2 games on Sat and one on Sunday so I guess we shall see. Depending on the weather and how I feel I may not go.

After this week the girls have 2 more weeks of school and then they are off again and we leave the day they get out for Disneyland. Believe it or not I am really excited because I can't wait to see it all decorated for the holidays and it will be a fun road trip.

We will only be gone a few days and when we get back it will be Christmas.

Anyway that's bout it for me.

Hope everyone had a good weekend and take care.

Mel continuing to keep you and your sis in my prayers. ((hugs))

You made me tired just reading all that you're doing! Heck, I haven't even had time to make it over to your TR yet!

Good Morning! Happy Monday!

I have been making (crocheting) scarves for Christmas presents the last few weeks. I'm getting pretty quick at them and they turn out pretty cute. I'm thinking of opening an etsy.com account and trying to sell some.

Those sound neat. I love to crochet and I just took all my yarn & hooks out a few days ago, but I haven't started anything yet. This darned infection in my hand is making it too sore to crochet.

 

[funnygarcia]

Melody, thanks for the update on your sis.

Kelly, much too busy for me.. ACK!

Sarah, awesome! I never learned how to crochet, I have a hard enough time typing without too many errors.. thank you spell check! My dh has got in a groove and loves to make fleece hats from recycled clothing. The fleece you can buy at the fabric store is very thin compared to old jackets found at the thrift store. He's thinking of an ebay store and I said why not Etsy? He replied "huh?" Guess I have to bring him up to speed.

Alison, hope the hand is on the mend quickly.

One of E's co workers offered up a sewing machine, his wife didn't think it worked but for free we will check it over and see if it can be revived. I read there are several sites that have detailed instruction on fixing sewing machines yourself or we can bring it for a free estimate somewhere. If it's a dud.. no biggie.

 

[kelmac284]

Morning and happy Tuesday!

LOL at Allison and B yes we are always swamped it seems. And just think last year the girls had Girls Scouts and Awana on TOP of everything else!! Sheesh! It never ends but we like keeping busy but you are right sometimes it gets a little nuts and I need a break!

Allison I hope your hand feels better soon!!

B that is cool that you are looking for an old sewing machine. I have always said that they made the old stuff so much better and sturdier than the new stuff. My mom used to sew and has several old machines. She loves them!! Good luck finding one!!

Yesterday wasn't too bad at work although with this stupid head cold my brain isn't working too well LOL. I am used to taking the girls to school and then coming back home and getting ready for work but with the short days I had planned to go straight to work and so I left off and left my laptop at home. DOH! I got to work and had yet another pile of stuff since I only worked on Monday last week but I managed to plow through it and only stayed a few hours so I could get home in time to pick up the girls.

Shelby's teacher kind of ticked me off because I gave her PLENTY of notice about our trip and yet she didn't give me the sheet to pick times for the conferences till AFTER we were gone on vacation so of course I couldn't turn it in till yesterday and all the times were already taken. I was NOT thrilled because I specificially asked for it BEFORE we left. And of course all the times I requested were full so now I have to go and come BACK 3 hours later on the same day. GRRRR!

Anyway today I am hoping to run up to walmart and get some xmas shopping done because I am usually more done by now but I just have not gotten my act together this year and I only have a few things bought and there are only a few weeks left before the girls are home and then with us leaving xmas week I am running out of time!!!

So hopefully I can get some stuff accomplished today and then perhaps a bit more next week.

Then I found out that Katy has a field trip next Tues but they only can have 4 parents go on this boat that they are going on but want a bunch of parents to drive. So the REST of us are supposed to just "hang out" for 4 hours while the others go on the boat trip. I am like uh yeah right. So I asked mom if she wanted to meet me down there to "hang". So we shall see. I hope I am one of the lucky 4 that gets picked to go on the boat but otherwise maybe mom can meet me and we can go shopping or something.

Anyway that's my excitement for the day.

Oh and of course tonight is our soccer end of the year party. Anyway hope everyone has a good day and talk soon.

 

[MotoXPrincess99]

Well I put two scarves up on etsy this morning. I'm not to happy with the pictures, they look much nicer in person, but I'm going to try and take better ones tonight. It only costs .20 to list an item and then they take a small % if it sells.

Here is the link...scarf

Let me know what you think.

 

[sameyeyam]

Well I put two scarves up on etsy this morning. I'm not to happy with the pictures, they look much nicer in person, but I'm going to try and take better ones tonight. It only costs .20 to list an item and then they take a small % if it sells.

Here is the link...scarf

Let me know what you think.

Very nice! I think maybe it's the bright color of the blanket in the background that detracts from them looking nicer. Can you think of a way to display them nicer?? Kind of make them fancier looking?? I think staging is definitely the key to selling things quicker.

They do look nice, so don't get me wrong...just trying to think of a way to make them look better in the photos.

I didn't realize that hand crocheted items sold for so much...maybe I need to start selling some stuff when my hand is feeling better.

 

[sameyeyam]

Do you have a big teddy bear or perhaps a vase with flowers that you could wrap it around? How about an antique clock, lace tablecloth or something to put in the background? OR...how about using a pretty gift bag or gift box with tissue paper, have it draped coming out of them?

 

[funnygarcia]

Just passing thru.. every time I type out a nice response it gets swallowed up into the nothingness and doesn't post..so I give up.

But yes I like the scarves, very pretty but I agree with Alison to try to stage them a bit. Play with lighting and see if that helps them "pop" too. I've read of making a box to do good shots for ebay listings, black liner and lighting source.

I got he order forms for Justin's grad announcements.. holy crap the prices are simply ridiculous! I don't need very many, but even just 25 with the name plates would be about $50. And we still will need photos (doing our own) and open house invite to add. Ca-ching$ Ca-ching$ Ca-Ching$

Who knew that his senior year is costing me more than all of his school years put together!?!

He looked at the prices and gupled.. I don't need that mom.. cool!
So we are going to do photo card announcements thru one of the online sources like Shutterfly or ArtsCow or even Walgreen's.
We can have invite, announcement, photo for $30 (or less if we use a code/offer).

 

[MotoXPrincess99]

Very nice! I think maybe it's the bright color of the blanket in the background that detracts from them looking nicer. Can you think of a way to display them nicer?? Kind of make them fancier looking?? I think staging is definitely the key to selling things quicker.

They do look nice, so don't get me wrong...just trying to think of a way to make them look better in the photos.

I didn't realize that hand crocheted items sold for so much...maybe I need to start selling some stuff when my hand is feeling better.

I was thinking that $18 sounded like a lot but compared to most of the scarves on etsy it's on the lower end.

Do you have a big teddy bear or perhaps a vase with flowers that you could wrap it around? How about an antique clock, lace tablecloth or something to put in the background? OR...how about using a pretty gift bag or gift box with tissue paper, have it draped coming out of them?

Just passing thru.. every time I type out a nice response it gets swallowed up into the nothingness and doesn't post..so I give up.

But yes I like the scarves, very pretty but I agree with Alison to try to stage them a bit. Play with lighting and see if that helps them "pop" too. I've read of making a box to do good shots for ebay listings, black liner and lighting source.

Thanks for the ideas. I'm going to try more pictures tonight.

Plus I'm going to take them with me this weekend to DBF's races. It gets cold so maybe people will buy them out of necessity. I've got 7made so far. Hope to get 3 more done.

 

[sameyeyam]

I was thinking that $18 sounded like a lot but compared to most of the scarves on etsy it's on the lower end.







Thanks for the ideas. I'm going to try more pictures tonight.

Plus I'm going to take them with me this weekend to DBF's races. It gets cold so maybe people will buy them out of necessity. I've got 7made so far. Hope to get 3 more done.

If they start going over good, you could run a special....$20 for a giant cup of hot chocolate and scarf!


Speaking of the races, here are a couple of links to photos of my kids at the races last weekend. Chelsie is #289 and Cooper is #9.

http://www.dbuckphotography.com/Mot...odland-4/14852470_VhSfG#1108228973_kpDy3-A-LB

http://www.dbuckphotography.com/Mot...odland-4/14852470_VhSfG#1108144256_5W8fb-A-LB

 

[kelmac284]

Morning and happy Friday!

Well it has def been a BUSY week for me.

I guess Shelby's teacher sensed my disdain and rearranged the conference and I was able to go to them back to back yesterday so that was good because I STILL have not been able to shake this stupid cold not to mention I have just been swamped with stuff this week so it was good to go and be able to get them both over with.

Katy's teacher really raved about her and she got a really good report card so I was very proud of her as usual. Shelby's was just average but that is about what I expected. She has a little bit harder time but honestly I think she is VERY bright but just isn't as motivated and is much more a social butterfly. Her conferences always mention that she is a talker and they have to chastise her about paying attention and staying on task etc so nothing new there LOL.

But overall they were good conferences so I was happy. I also found out that after all the hub bub about the field trip NO ONE volunteered and not only am I able to go on the boat but they didn't even get enough drivers so now I am having to borrow my mom's Tahoe to try and get enough seats. My car is a camry and only seats 3. So hopefully everything goes off without a hitch. Anyway I also was able to get all my shopping done for the girls which is a huge weight off. And I got all my diva cards done and mailed and I received my personal cards from photopass yesterday and I got them all done now I just have to get to the post office to get postage and get them mailed off and then I am pretty much done! WHEW!

We had our party and it was nice and then we got a surprise on Wed when my stepdaughter called and said she was in town. It is a LOOOONG story but she is estranged from our family. We had 2 VERY rough years with her when she was in high school that included her getting in trouble at school with the law, getting suspended, drugs, alcohol, her eventually running away from home, going to juvenille hall and on and on.

She made the rounds through all of mine and Shane's family and has burned pretty much EVERY bridge with EVERY family member she has and finally she was living with people she met off the internet. She then followed one of them back to Virginia and lived back there for a few months and now is finally back living in southern california with a friend of Shane's.

I have not seen her in prob a year and Shane saw her once I think but needless to say it is AWKWARD. He and I don't really agree on the whole situation and it has caused problems between us so it is just hard all the way around but regardless she said she was in town and wanted to see us so us along with my parents met her for dinner. It went ok and we found out she is "dating" Shane's co-worker which is just WEIRD to me but then again most of the stuff she does is that way so it doesn't surprise me. (Weird because she lives in LA and he lives up north of us 2 hours). Anyway dinner was better than expected and who knows what will happen but as always we just hope that eventually she turns her life around and finds the right path.

Anyway so that was my excitement for the week. I am off to work today and then tomorrow bright and early we have to be at the tournament in the rain. Not really looking forward to that but hope the girls do well. We have 2 games tomorrow and 1 on Sunday. Then IF they win the weekend they will have another game next wed night and depending on what happens on Wed they could possibly play again next weekend but I seriously doubt that will happen. We are playing some REALLY good intense teams so we shall see.

Either way we still have a few indoor games left and in fact are forgoing our game tonight so the girls can rest up and forgo any injuries for tomorrow.

Needless to say I will be very excited when the next two weeks are done because that means it will be over for a bit. Of course then shane wants to do ANOTHER round of indoor but at least that is just one game a week and no practices. Will it ever end....LOL

Hope everyone has a great day and weekend and talk soon.

 

[funnygarcia]

Hey busy lady!
Glad things worked out for the conferences, less shuffling back and forth to get them done.
And awkward does not describe the whole mess with your step dd, how old is she again? Dating someone older, I'm guessing, plus moving all around. It's sad because I know you want to help but she isn't letting anyone and is making it all more difficult to have a relationship. And yeah.. she has to do it our own and maybe some day she will settle down.

I went with hubby downtown today, I went shopping at Macy's while he was at work. The Macy's downtown is an old style department store, it use to be Dayton's (the family owners of Target). It has a total of 6 levels of shopping (lower level has shopping plus deli, candy shop, various fast food), several floors for offices and a travel agency. 8th floor auditorum and an 11th floor cafeteria and restaurant with a spectacular view of the city. I love taking the escalators up and up and up and up to 8th floor, elevator is for the wussies!

8th floor auditorium is used for seasonal events, this time of year they have a walk thru show with a theme. This year was "Life of an Elf", other years has been Pippi Longstocking, Harry Potter, Cinderella, Peter Pan, etc.

Think of walking thru one of the DL rides with scenes set up, a few AA figures moving around and storyboards to read at each scene. (hmm, kinda like the Sleeping Beauty walk through?). At the end is the line to see Santa, a bakery where it's tradition to buy gingerbread men, and a shop with fun gifts.

I took pics to upload on Facebook later.

Met up with dh and we ran a few errands, Had plans to take the bus to the thrift store, walk over a few blocks and take our usual bus home.. we stood and waited, waited waited.. that bus never showed.

During the time we stood there it would have been 3 of that route to pass. The snowstorm was in full force by then, accumulating very quickly and the snow was whipping right into our faces. The traffic was slowed down and everything was an awful mess.

We walked back up the street to take our regular bus, it was no longer running on that street due to the Holidazzle parade about to begin.


Holidazzle runs in the holiday season, it's like the Electrical Parade at DL but it's nursery ryhmes and everyone is bundled up shivering. People were staking out spots in the skywalks hours before it started.. smart people! (skywalks are enclosed walkways with glass walls over the streets, it's possible to walk several miles in skywalk system without ever needing to step foot outside.. good description and it's effect on businesses in Mpls here
http://www.emich.edu/public/geo/557book/d364.skywalks.html )


Back to the shivering, snow covered, slogging through the drifts story...
Argh! I want to go home so bad! Pull out the handy dandy schedule out of my purse, hiding out inside the bus shelter with a heat lamp.. ahhhh...

We figure out when the commuter version of our bus is running. Slog thru the snow some more, icicles forming on my hair, on my eyelashes, dh is covered in snow (like dandruff on overdrive). Walk up two more blocks and wait under the heat lamps. ahhhhh, snow is melting, I can kinda feel my legs now and I don't like it - owwwwww.

Away we go home, shivering and wet. It took twice as long to get out of downtown, the traffic was sooooooo slow. And it doesn't help when people are stupid, turning right in front of the bus or stopping in the middle of the street because they miscalculated if enough room to cross the intersection.

I watched the light rail train sound it's horn over and over, having to stop because some lady tried to sneak across and then was on the track with no where to go since the traffic in front was at a red light.
And people crossing in the middle of traffic, crossing right in front of the train. Crazy people!!

Got home, stripped, put on some warm jammies and my ultra soft warm robe.. ahhhhhhhh much better.

Look outside, the snow has stopped.

Only in MN

 

[kelmac284]

Thanks B yeah I was glad things worked out with the conference and SD is 18 almost 19. And you are right. I learned a long time ago that she is just going to have to figure it out on her own. She won't listen to a THING we try and tell her and she thinks she "knows everything" so I just try to stay out of it at this point and she pretty much only talks to dh but what frustrates me is he gives in to her and lets her push him over which I KNOW it's his child but at some point you have to say enough and let her go it her own and "figure it out". She has never WANTED our help or advice but yet when she gets herself in jams then she magically calls "daddy" to bail her out. Drives me nuts but I have learned to just stay out of it. Keeps my sanity level better LOL.

Anyway your shopping day sounded until you had to wait in the snow. Glad you finally made it home to your toasty house.

We are off to our big soccer tournament. Should be interesting!

Have a good weekend everyone and stay warm.

 

[sameyeyam]

Good morning ladies! Spending a nice quiet day at home. We were going to get some shopping done today, but DH had to go work for a few hours this morning and we are expecting my 14yo nephew today. He has been in a little bit of trouble lately and my SIL is sending him up to our place for a little manual labor (raking leaves & putting up xmas lights) and a bit of a "chat" with DH.

Apparently we are nice people, but we intimidate the heck out of kids!

So much to do today, I brought home a bunch of work plus we need to get the xmas decor inside put up.

 

[sameyeyam]

And what is it with teachers that think certain kids talk too much? Seriously, I talked constantly, got good grades and managed to go to college and get a job where I make twice as much as a teacher. I think that talking was what got me that job!lol.

Don't teachers realize that there are lots of different personalities...quiet, clown, talker, etc...and that the ultimate end goal is to let their personalities and interests guide them into a career?

I always wondered why teachers didn't encourage kids to talk...(as long as they get their work done). Heck, I used to get my work done ahead of time so I could goof off and talk in class.

 

[sameyeyam]

SO...yesterday my BIL (who is learning disabled) comes up with our nephew (his nephew also, not his son).

Anyway, BIL is helping me put groceries away. He pulls out 2 roasts and asks if he should put them in the Rodder. I look at him funny and say "the what?". He repeats, "do you want me to put them in the Rodder?". So I ask "What is a Rodder?". Cuz at this point I haven't a clue what he's talking about.

He opens the fridge and points to the crisper drawers on the bottom. Down here, you know in the Meat Rodder. I tell him, no those are the crisper drawers and I keep veggies in them. Still, I'm curious and ask him, what does your Meat Rodder do at home in your fridge (he lives with DH's sister and her family), because we don't have one?

He tells me "it's where we put the meat from the grocery store and then it gets rotten, you know, the Meat Rotter!" OMG, I was trying so hard not to laugh. Seriously, my SIL must buy meat and put it in the Meat Rotter drawer in the fridge and forget about it.

So I tell my BIL "sorry we don't have a Meat Rotter here, I either use it right away or it goes in the freezer...we're not rich enough to afford a Meat Rotter!"

 

[funnygarcia]

The produce drawer may as well be called the rotter. We have an older small fridge, produce does not do well in the drawer or anywhere for that matter.. the darn thing goes on over drive and freezes delicate produce. My lettuce goes on the top shelf front and center.. have thrown away too much frozen mush, very sad and incredibly frustrating!

The drawer is for cheese, deli, lunch meat. Those smaller packages that slither and slide there way all around, all well contained in the drawer.

 

[funnygarcia]

I have my massage scheduled for tomorrow
If the therapist is good we will schedule more, he has a special price offer for this month.

Dh's clinic visit this week and pick up supplies.. makes for a long day. Hurry up and wait, chat for a few minutes and off again lugging boxes of saline and other supplies home.

 

[sameyeyam]

I have my massage scheduled for tomorrow
If the therapist is good we will schedule more, he has a special price offer for this month.

Dh's clinic visit this week and pick up supplies.. makes for a long day. Hurry up and wait, chat for a few minutes and off again lugging boxes of saline and other supplies home.

Sounds nice...the massage that is. Good luck on E's clinic visit. I have my podiatrist appt. on Tuesday. I will be so happy to get something done with this foot of mine, I'm getting tired of limping along.

 

[kelmac284]

Morning and happy Monday all.

B enjoy your massage. I have had a few over the years and while some have not been as pleasant (too rough) I have enjoyed most of them.

Well this weekend was definitely a nail biter. I wasn't really that wild about the girls even doing this tournament because I was SO ready for the season to be over and it was AFTER our regular season was over as it was and they didn't really get anything for being in it and on and on but Shane had us all convinced that the girls had a really good shot at making it to the champs and that they had a good shot at the cup. The team that was supposed to be the best and the one that we were worried about we tied first thing on Saturday. IE no one scored. Then we beat the 2nd team 4-0. So we were pretty pumped going into our game yesterday and although we knew it wouldn't be a push over we thought we could beat this last team. They had only won 1 game in their regular season and we had only lost one. Well I don't know if someone was pulling our leg or our girls just gave up but they kicked our butts. Our girls just weren't playing well and this team played REALLY well and they beat us 5-2. Katy was absolutely devestated because as goalie she always feels responsible eventhough I have told her that it is not all on her but her team has to help defend the goal but she was REALLY nervous and shane didn't help because he got them all worked up about winning so it was a huge let down. When they scored the 4th goal katy got so upset she started crying hysterically and they had to put in our other goalie because she just would not be consoled. She felt like she lost the game for the team. Everyone was really upset because I think they all thought they had it in the bag and it was a big dissapointment but in a way I am glad it is over. We do have an indoor game on Friday but those are just for "fun" anyway and don't count for anything and it will be our last game since we will be gone the following weekend for the last game of that session.

I really wish we weren't doing another session cuz I so need a break but Shane is obsessed LOL. Basketball is right around the corner and then it will be swim again. UGH. It never ends!!! Ah well I am used to it by now.

Anyway it is storming like crazy today and I wish I could stay home but alas the girls go back to their regular schedule at school and I have to go in to work. Tomorrow is Katy's big field trip so I am just praying for no rain since we will be out on a boat!!

No game now on Wed but then Thurs I am going to a christmas party with mom and then Friday we have our office party. Then as I said we have our last indoor game Friday night which means NOTHING on the weekend. YAY! Looking forward to that!! Then next week is the girls last week of school and that Friday we leave for DL! I can't wait! I just hope the weather cooperates!

Hope everyone has a great day and stays warm and dry wherever you are!