Okay, folks...if you're even still following me, I apologize for no posts. I did NOT fall off the face of the earth! I swear there's not enough time in the day for everything that pulls on us.
I wanted to post a quick note about all you artisans out there. If you've ever had trouble finding a good credit card company, I have your solution!
After much research, I finally found a wonderful company. If any of you have done shows, you know you could retire if you had a nickel for every time someone said, "You take cards, right?".
I went with a company that charges me $15 a month, with no equipment to buy. The transaction fees and percentages of the sales are much less than other companies, and are even lower than PayPal!
So, if anyone needs help in this area, just email me and I'll send you all the info and hook you up with a great rep from the company. When you deal with the company, you will have one person you will speak with, not a hundred. If you call and your rep isn't available, you will speak with someone. No leaving messages on answering machines. I know, right? Miracle of miracles! Whenever I've called, I've usually always gotten my rep, and when I didn't, someone was on the other end of the phone to help me. If I preferred to speak with only my rep, she called me back promptly.
My email is chattycats@rochester.rr.com. On a personal note, I want to let you know that since I began taking cards at shows, my sales have tripled!
Now, onto other things. I promised a long time ago to start featuring other artisans on my blog. I've been remiss in doing so, and I apologize. I'm afraid my schedule is so packed that I hardly have time to list things on my ArtFire studio.
As soon as I have some time, I will get that going. Thanks for your patience, and I'll try to be better about blogging! I feel like my mother...as she got older, she never wanted to learn new things. Now I know why. She prized her free time!
:-)
Cheers,
Cat
Monday, April 2, 2012
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Snow Plows from Hell...
They come in the night, shaking the ground like an earthquake. I know there's a contest to see which snow plow driver can inflict the most damage on homeowners. I witnessed one going about 50 mph racing past my house like the hounds of hell were after him... I believe it's some kind of test. "Does picking up speed catapult the snow farther into their yards?"....why, yes, Horatio, it does:
This was our driveway (we have a drive-thru half circle...or did, at one time) after the plow came through. My son and I had just shoveled, so I KNOW it was not hip deep at that time...LOL. You can actually SEE where he stopped and made several "pushes" to shove the snow right up to the wall of the portico!!! The nerve!
Now, I know they have a tough job, right? I mean, it's hard to make really good money working for the town, with benefits and all. But do they have to TRY to destroy your yard, mailboxes, and driveway access? Yes, I believe they do. It's like an unwritten rule or something. If you want to drive a plow, you have to be either mean or a really, really bad driver to begin with.
Here's a good example of how he came down the road..if you look further up in the pic, you'll see the "line" he was following. You can see it starting to curve over so he does the most damage in front of my house! It's like he purposefully CUT IN to come onto my actual lawn...it's a little hard to see, but look just to the right of that parked car to see the angle of the plow blade...then look closer to my house in the forefront of the pic... you can see the angle clearly cutting in!
So here's what I'm gonna do...I think next winter, right after the first light snowfall, I'll put up spike strips. Let's see how fast he goes after that!! LOL...wouldn't you LOVE to see that one? Just kidding, of course, but in my mind, I've run that scenario over and over...hahahahahaha
This whole thing amazes me, as last year they tore up my lawn, they set the plow so low and cut too far in. People told me I was crazy if I thought they were going to do anything to rectify it. Well, they trotted their little butts down and graded my lawn. Now, don't you think they might have learned something from that experience? I am a force to be reckoned with! Needless to say, we'll be having a little "chat" this week! Maybe I'll apply for the job. Hell, I can do at least a comparable job, don't you think? I mean, apparently you don't have to really know what you're doing, so I'm sure I could qualify...hmmmm.....
Okay, well, thanks for letting me vent...if any of you who live in snow country have the same problem with their snow plows, please leave your thoughts!!
And if you don't live in snow country? Consider yourselves lucky!
Now, I know they have a tough job, right? I mean, it's hard to make really good money working for the town, with benefits and all. But do they have to TRY to destroy your yard, mailboxes, and driveway access? Yes, I believe they do. It's like an unwritten rule or something. If you want to drive a plow, you have to be either mean or a really, really bad driver to begin with.
Here's a good example of how he came down the road..if you look further up in the pic, you'll see the "line" he was following. You can see it starting to curve over so he does the most damage in front of my house! It's like he purposefully CUT IN to come onto my actual lawn...it's a little hard to see, but look just to the right of that parked car to see the angle of the plow blade...then look closer to my house in the forefront of the pic... you can see the angle clearly cutting in!
So here's what I'm gonna do...I think next winter, right after the first light snowfall, I'll put up spike strips. Let's see how fast he goes after that!! LOL...wouldn't you LOVE to see that one? Just kidding, of course, but in my mind, I've run that scenario over and over...hahahahahaha
This whole thing amazes me, as last year they tore up my lawn, they set the plow so low and cut too far in. People told me I was crazy if I thought they were going to do anything to rectify it. Well, they trotted their little butts down and graded my lawn. Now, don't you think they might have learned something from that experience? I am a force to be reckoned with! Needless to say, we'll be having a little "chat" this week! Maybe I'll apply for the job. Hell, I can do at least a comparable job, don't you think? I mean, apparently you don't have to really know what you're doing, so I'm sure I could qualify...hmmmm.....
Okay, well, thanks for letting me vent...if any of you who live in snow country have the same problem with their snow plows, please leave your thoughts!!
And if you don't live in snow country? Consider yourselves lucky!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
A Coming Together
Yesterday was my dear friend Angela's funeral service....it was wonderful to see all those people I care deeply for, even under the saddest of circumstances. I could feel Angela in every corner of that church. You don't think she'd miss that, do you?! I could picture her taking it all in, chuckling at the comments of some, scolding others.... when the priest started to talk about Angela, he really nailed her personality.
He had the opportunity to visit her at the hospital before she passed, and even though she was unable to speak (torture for her), he got the idea that she was ready to go. He noted her frustration with her muteness, and we all agreed that Ange wouldn't have wanted a life of "existence". This was a woman that personified the adage "Carpe Diem". Boy howdy, did she ever seize HER days! So, being reduced to a weakened individual without the luxury of communication through speech, was not going to be the acceptable life for our friend. Indeed, if she could not seize every day with her usual vigor, then I believe she really was ready to go.
I take comfort in that, and know that she is happy and free. We cry because we will miss her with all our hearts. I could not stop my own emotions from taking over periodically throughout the day. Not surprisingly, I wasn't the only one. Angela was so loved in that community, and she truly touched people from all walks of life.
There was a young man who came into the church with a poncho and a substantial fur hat like they wear in Siberia. Well, Old Forge being what it is, small town and sometimes peppered with small minds, there were audible murmurs and little gasps. As if to convey, "What is HE doing here?". I didn't know this man, but I know Angela did. I remember sitting on her porch and talking about a young man that apparently took a shine to Angela. She explained that he was thought of around town as being a little "strange", and that people avoided him. Not our Angela. She had her own mind and made her own character analysis of people.
Imagine, this young man, whom everyone thought was so "strange", an opinion I am quite sure he was made aware of, bothered to take the time out of his day to say goodbye to someone he admired. At this time I would like to point out that there were many people whom I remember from our time living in Old Forge that did NOT show up. Now I find THAT strange. This man, knowing he looked...God forbid...different, took his hat off, and smoothed his hair while he stood in line to greet the family. I don't find that "strange" at all. I find it hopeful. Hopeful that there are more people like him in this world, willing to put themselves up to ridicule from the small Peyton Place mentality, in order to pay respects to someone who treated them with decency and respect. May all those that gasped, commented, made fun, or otherwise thought unkind thoughts about this man learn something from his courage. If Jesus walked among us now, would he try to blend? Or could he very well come in the "strange" package that this man walked in? Food for thought.
So, in closing, I would like to remind all of my readers to be kind to those you might at first consider "strange" or "different". They may be the only ones at your funeral. Angela was an amazing woman with the capacity to love without boundaries. I will strive each day to make her proud of me.
He had the opportunity to visit her at the hospital before she passed, and even though she was unable to speak (torture for her), he got the idea that she was ready to go. He noted her frustration with her muteness, and we all agreed that Ange wouldn't have wanted a life of "existence". This was a woman that personified the adage "Carpe Diem". Boy howdy, did she ever seize HER days! So, being reduced to a weakened individual without the luxury of communication through speech, was not going to be the acceptable life for our friend. Indeed, if she could not seize every day with her usual vigor, then I believe she really was ready to go.
I take comfort in that, and know that she is happy and free. We cry because we will miss her with all our hearts. I could not stop my own emotions from taking over periodically throughout the day. Not surprisingly, I wasn't the only one. Angela was so loved in that community, and she truly touched people from all walks of life.
There was a young man who came into the church with a poncho and a substantial fur hat like they wear in Siberia. Well, Old Forge being what it is, small town and sometimes peppered with small minds, there were audible murmurs and little gasps. As if to convey, "What is HE doing here?". I didn't know this man, but I know Angela did. I remember sitting on her porch and talking about a young man that apparently took a shine to Angela. She explained that he was thought of around town as being a little "strange", and that people avoided him. Not our Angela. She had her own mind and made her own character analysis of people.
Imagine, this young man, whom everyone thought was so "strange", an opinion I am quite sure he was made aware of, bothered to take the time out of his day to say goodbye to someone he admired. At this time I would like to point out that there were many people whom I remember from our time living in Old Forge that did NOT show up. Now I find THAT strange. This man, knowing he looked...God forbid...different, took his hat off, and smoothed his hair while he stood in line to greet the family. I don't find that "strange" at all. I find it hopeful. Hopeful that there are more people like him in this world, willing to put themselves up to ridicule from the small Peyton Place mentality, in order to pay respects to someone who treated them with decency and respect. May all those that gasped, commented, made fun, or otherwise thought unkind thoughts about this man learn something from his courage. If Jesus walked among us now, would he try to blend? Or could he very well come in the "strange" package that this man walked in? Food for thought.
So, in closing, I would like to remind all of my readers to be kind to those you might at first consider "strange" or "different". They may be the only ones at your funeral. Angela was an amazing woman with the capacity to love without boundaries. I will strive each day to make her proud of me.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Remembering Angela
A very dear friend passed away this week, and the world lost a little bit of its light. Angela was the type of person that stole your heart before you knew what was happening. She had a sharp, sometimes wicked (!) sense of humor, didn't mince words, and had a laugh that was so infectious, before you knew it, you found yourself cracking up.
Ange was always there to smooth the rough edges, join in the fun, correct a negative behavior, or bring common sense to hysteria...she knew dwelling on or ranting about something wasn't going to fix it. She had this way of putting things into perspective that left you feeling relieved, even if the situation was not resolved.
When I was pregnant with my son, I was fretting about what I was going to do since his father was no longer in the picture. I remember I was to the "hand wringing" stage, and Angela looked at me with what I like to call "the look", and said simply, "What are you worried about? God feeds the birds, doesn't He?". That simple statement, said with such conviction, immediately switched my gears. That was over sixteen years ago, and I remember it like it was yesterday. I recall those simple words again and again when I am feeling anxious or stressed. Angela was my rock, and I'm not sure she knew to what extent.
There will be a hole in the place that Angela occupied in my heart. She touched so many people in so many different ways, yet she would argue with me about that if she were here now. She was most definitely one of a kind...a rare gem in an otherwise harsh world. I will miss her every day, but I thank God He brought us together those many years ago. I am the better for knowing her. God Bless you, Angela, and may you find the peace and wholeness you so richly deserve. I will love you all of my life.
Ange was always there to smooth the rough edges, join in the fun, correct a negative behavior, or bring common sense to hysteria...she knew dwelling on or ranting about something wasn't going to fix it. She had this way of putting things into perspective that left you feeling relieved, even if the situation was not resolved.
When I was pregnant with my son, I was fretting about what I was going to do since his father was no longer in the picture. I remember I was to the "hand wringing" stage, and Angela looked at me with what I like to call "the look", and said simply, "What are you worried about? God feeds the birds, doesn't He?". That simple statement, said with such conviction, immediately switched my gears. That was over sixteen years ago, and I remember it like it was yesterday. I recall those simple words again and again when I am feeling anxious or stressed. Angela was my rock, and I'm not sure she knew to what extent.
There will be a hole in the place that Angela occupied in my heart. She touched so many people in so many different ways, yet she would argue with me about that if she were here now. She was most definitely one of a kind...a rare gem in an otherwise harsh world. I will miss her every day, but I thank God He brought us together those many years ago. I am the better for knowing her. God Bless you, Angela, and may you find the peace and wholeness you so richly deserve. I will love you all of my life.
November 20, 1931 - January 13, 2010
Friday, December 25, 2009
Christmas Night
Well, it is with full belly and tired body I come to you tonight! We feasted with friends and have returned home to plop. What a season, eh? All the planning, anticipating, shopping, wrapping, baking, calling, sending, worrying, juggling (finances, of course) and merry making.........I'm pooped!
This Christmas was a huge success all the way around. I'd have to say it was one of the best ones yet. We were active with friends and spoke often with family, enjoyed each other's company and scored big in the gift department! My son was thrilled with his booty and he gave me extra special gifts this year. Moms always love the handmade things the best (which stands to reason, since I am a handmade artisan! haha), and he made me two books about a Yeti that saved Christmas. How clever! They were pop-up books at that! I had a ball reading them and will treasure them forever. In fact, they will stay handy all year so I can look at them again and again.
My sister surprised me with a four DVD set of the original Johnny Weissmuller Tarzan!! You'd swear I was a four year old that got the gift they asked Santa for! I had been wanting Tarzan for so long...and not just ANY Tarzan. It had to be with Weissmuller, which I could never seem to find. Anyone that walked the earth with the dinosaurs, like me, will remember him. He was the best Tarzan, and the only one to watch as far as I'm concerned! Well, needless to say, I can't wait to veg in front of the idiot box and watch them. Truly a perfect gift.
All in all, this has been a Christmas that they portray on Hallmark Channel! Everything was perfect, even when it wasn't! Just having my son and friends at my side, and calls from my sis, made it the happiest of Christmases. I am so lucky to have made the new friends I have over the past year, and things are starting to gel here in "Hooterville". We're beginning to feel right at home in this little community.
I hope you all had a wonderful time of it, as well! Remember to check back in January for information on a giveaway from my ArtFire Studio! It'll be fun and a great way to kick off the New Year!
Love,
Cat
This Christmas was a huge success all the way around. I'd have to say it was one of the best ones yet. We were active with friends and spoke often with family, enjoyed each other's company and scored big in the gift department! My son was thrilled with his booty and he gave me extra special gifts this year. Moms always love the handmade things the best (which stands to reason, since I am a handmade artisan! haha), and he made me two books about a Yeti that saved Christmas. How clever! They were pop-up books at that! I had a ball reading them and will treasure them forever. In fact, they will stay handy all year so I can look at them again and again.
My sister surprised me with a four DVD set of the original Johnny Weissmuller Tarzan!! You'd swear I was a four year old that got the gift they asked Santa for! I had been wanting Tarzan for so long...and not just ANY Tarzan. It had to be with Weissmuller, which I could never seem to find. Anyone that walked the earth with the dinosaurs, like me, will remember him. He was the best Tarzan, and the only one to watch as far as I'm concerned! Well, needless to say, I can't wait to veg in front of the idiot box and watch them. Truly a perfect gift.
All in all, this has been a Christmas that they portray on Hallmark Channel! Everything was perfect, even when it wasn't! Just having my son and friends at my side, and calls from my sis, made it the happiest of Christmases. I am so lucky to have made the new friends I have over the past year, and things are starting to gel here in "Hooterville". We're beginning to feel right at home in this little community.
I hope you all had a wonderful time of it, as well! Remember to check back in January for information on a giveaway from my ArtFire Studio! It'll be fun and a great way to kick off the New Year!
Love,
Cat
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
