Sip N Shop

Yesterday I finished my little pile of sunglass cases in time for my show.

Then I had to repack my boxes since it was inside and upstairs in a building and I knew I would have to get it all up there myself. I got it down to my 2 big boxes and threw in my fold-able wagon "just in case". 

When I got there there were no signs, no one standing outside, no one at the table to check in. I don't think people realize how nice that would be. Like ok I'll just figure it out on my own and walk around for the person in charge. Glad I know what she looks like lol. 

I was able to get one big box in my wagon (perfect fit) and put the other box on top and it stayed there for the ride in. I'm glad there was an elevator, that made things much easier. 

Here is my stuff all set up. When the girl on the left of me got there she rearranged her table and I was kicking myself for not doing the same. I would have liked to put it so I could sit inside the L instead of against the wall. I'd say for next time but I'm not going to do this event again since I just barely broke even for my booth fee. I had to condense my cozies quite a bit to get everything to fit on the tables. 

The girl on the right of me was the same gal that was next to me last time I did the outdoor booth. She has bags and pillows she probably buys in bulk from china or something. Kind of annoying but she's nice enough. She sold like 3 $20 pillows and a couple little bags so she probably just broke even too. 

I think maybe a lot of people didn't come out because of the smoke. It's REALLY bad here. Everyone is hoping for rain. So far there is rain on the forecast for Wednesday.

While I was at the event Jessica called me to tell me there was a horrible accident right at the entrance to where we live. Two cars were obliterated and another truck involved. At the time she thought maybe one was a Jeep and Melissa's boyfriend has a Jeep. Melissa didn't answer her phone for about an hour so we were all just a tad worried it was her, although she doesn't usually come home on Friday nights (stays at her boyfriends). We were all relieved when she finally called us. 

Turns out the one vehicle was an old Dodge van, like the big old 70's ones. It was just a big pile of scrap.  The guy who was driving it is my neighbor about 5 houses down. Rumor is he has internal injuries. I hope he's ok. My kids always called him the dalmatian guy since he always has a dalmatian dog.  Hopefully someone is checking on the dog. 

Sounds like one of my neighbors was pulling out of the club, one was pulling in and this big truck came from no where and hit them both. I guess the truck guy fled the scene. Very scary. The girl in the car supposedly has a broken arm but is other wise ok. By the time I got home a couple hours later everything was cleaned up. 

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Coffee & Blog Time

Yeah it's Friday and I'm still in no bra mode woohoo. Dropped the kid off at the bus and came back home for some coffee and blog reading. Telling myself I can only do this for a little bit since I need to wash some clothes and get cracking on my booth stuff.

It is so smokey outside a lot of schools have cancelled school today. Trevor still has school but as of yesterday they are going straight inside when they get there and staying indoors for lunch. Although I did see one snarky comment on a Facebook post that said it doesn't do much good if they leave the doors open. Luckily Trevor isn't too asthmatic so he seems to be doing ok.  I am the one sucking on the inhaler. I just keep thinking if it's this bad here I can't imagine how hard it is to breath 2 hours north closer to the fire.

Here's a picture of the sky on my way home yesterday

It's supposed to rain Wednesday (just in time for my 3 days of selling outside lol) so hopefully that will help to clear the air.

Last night I got all these sunglasses cases or padded zip bags done. I have about 8 more in my pile to work on this morning.  One time about a year ago I had went through a box of fabric and cut it all into projects. These were all part of that box, although I did cut some down from larger zip bag size. It's funny how certain things sell. These do a lot better than the regular 9 x 7 zip bags I had made. I had one lady buy 3 at one of my shows. I have 2 in my purse that I use for just random stuff. 

Ok off to look at a couple blogs and refill my coffee cup. 

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Smart People

Pizza is the oven. Celebrating because I have finished my long 3 day work week and woohoo haven't killed anyone. Just kidding. Well not just kidding that I haven't killed anyone because I haven't but MAN.

Today I was thinking how ridiculous it is where I work. Like I'm usually complaining that I don't have enough work to do but I'm actually busy working on a couple different projects right now.  I spent quite a bit of time today helping customers. This coworker who works in another office asked me if I'd be able to scan some stuff for her. Thinking it was going to be several files I told her maybe the other girl would like to do it for her so she'd have something to do. You know, because she's literally just sitting there looking at her phone with nothing to do. 

So the girl gets the email asking for help and I'm like I can help you if you don't know what she's talking about (email literally had the name of what she wanted and what tab of the folder it's on). Girl walks to the large filing cabinet and then BIG SIGH and rolls her eyes because the file isn't in there. I'm like it's probably on so and so's desk, which it was. Then she's like dramatically flipping the file around and I'm like TAB 5 (at this point I'm at her desk with her because obviously this is all too difficult). She fans through all the papers on Tab 5 and I'm like hmm maybe a bit slower... oh there it is. After that she was ok but omg how hard was that? Took like 5 minutes and 10 times the drama.

Another time when I was busy I asked the other girl if she could get a signature on a paper since the guy was at the counter. When I look at it later the guy had like scribbled on the month part of the date since he wrote 10 instead of 11 then wrote over the top of it. I thought for sure it would get kicked out when it got reviewed but the reviewer must not have been in a bad mood today and it made it through.

While I was helping the drama girl with the file the new girl in the other department was like hey come over when you get a chance. I go over and she's like so I have ALL this stuff for these 2 guys applications so we can see if I have what you need. Turns out she had NOTHING and was completely confused after looking at it all with me because I pointed out that everything appeared to be for John Smith III instead of John Smith IV? 

So I earned my wages today. I swear I feel like I'm trying to teach frogs how to walk on a leash or something. Training people how to do things isn't even in my job description and I feel like I'm the boss who can't fire anyone.

The good thing is that I'm off work tomorrow since I'm doing the "Sip n Shop" event I better at least make my booth fee back lol. Supposedly this is a great event with hundreds of people coming to shop but I've heard that before at events that didn't turn out that great.  All I know is there will be wine so there's that!Pin It

Veterans Day Craft Booth

I'm sure you're all sick of seeing my craft booth set ups but it's nice for me to have them to go back and look at.

Earlier this week I decided to go ahead a do a booth on Saturday since it was still nice weather. It was supposed to be a high of 73 or something. Since there is that big fire up north it's smokey here  (so so horrible, I can't even imagine what those people are going through) so it was actually pretty cold all day. TG Scott told me how cold it was when I was getting dressed. I still could have used another layer on. I had soup and coffee for lunch from Subway since I was trying to warm up. I realized at the end of the day I forgot to drink any water (too dang cold!) I need to get a thermos for when I do the Black Friday event.

This is now going to be my set up if I'm not on a corner. It worked out really well. Originally the person to the right of me in the picture had their tables set up as a U but then they changed them. I was already done setting up when I realized. I would have done it in reverse if I would have noticed and there would have been a lot of room for people to walk in our booths. It turned out fine though.

I made about $100 profit so not too bad but could have been better. 

There sure are some weird people. People also say some of the strangest things.

But there are some really nice and fun people too. I like those ones haha

I just ordered one more rack for my key fobs. Trying to get everything uniform looking, plus they stack nicely in my boxes.

Scott went to the Raider's game today. I have book club at 2 (once again didn't read the book I should just stop going!)  I'm going to put a roast in the crock pot for dinner. I need to go through my cozies and make sure I don't have any of the ones I sold on Etsy. I've finally started to sell a few on there!

So nice to have tomorrow off too. Tomorrow will be a sewing all day day I think! Well sewing and laundry probably.

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Away In The Basement

The play we went to see last week was called "Away In The Basement"

But first we went to lunch! I volunteered to drive since I don't like riding on the winding roads. The lead car took the longest back way to get there. I was like we are so not going home this way! We had 4 cars I think. I just had mom and one other gal with us in my car.

We stopped at the 50's Roadhouse in Knights Ferry for lunch. I've been there a few times. The food is pretty good if you aren't in a hurry. I think we had 16 of us and I didn't hear one person complain about their food. That's pretty good odds lol

After lunch we got back in the car and finished our backwards way of driving to the theater. I haven't been to Columbia since I was a teenager. We had a piece of crap station wagon and went for a "day trip". I remember sitting on the side of the road when it was like 150 outside waiting for the car to "cool down". Then when we got there my mom wanted us to go on a stage coach ride (still 150 outside). The only other thing I remember about being there is that we got sarsaparilla in the old canteen. On the way home we stayed in a motel that didn't usually allow children but my mom knew the owner so she let us stay but we had to be "quiet" so it wasn't any fun. I was also a teenager so everything was probably not as bad as I remember haha

So anyhow, we didn't really walk around much because half the group can't breathe or walk. Scott said the decorate for Christmas so maybe we can go back and check it out.

The play was inside the old theater. We had 3 partial rows. The play was SO GOOD. You can check it out here. It has a church theme but it's not churchy if you know what I mean.

It just amazed me that people can act and sing like that. Makes me want to go see all the plays haha.  After the play my mom and I got ice cream and then the other gal was ready to go so we did. I debated going to bingo when I got back but the girls didn't want to go so I ended up just going to bed. It was a long fun day!

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Play Day

Woohoo I'm off work today! I took the day off to go with the new "Ladies Group" that someone made out where I live. We are going to go to a play. I volunteered to drive one of the cars since I get car sick in the foothills, and lets face it, I have control issues haha. My mom is going too so she can be my co-pilot.

Last night after work I went and got a car wash and vacuumed my car out. I should to that more often since I park in dirt spaces all the time and it gets tracked in onto the mats. It's always so nice when it's clean but it doesn't last long.

And now the dog is whining like he has to go out. Scott takes them out in the morning before he leaves for work at like 5:45 am. Usually they don't go out until after I get home around 4:30. But since I'm here he thinks he has to go out again 2 hours later. So rude.

The weather if finally changing a bit, at least in the morning it's cooler. I just had to go find some socks. I swear the kids get so excited to turn on the wall heater when it starts to get cold. I have to admit I kind of like standing in front of it in the mornings to warm up.

Monday was my niece Ava's 7th birthday. They did cake and ice cream on Monday night which was a bit of a challenge since I work in Modesto and they live in North Stockton. I had to come home, let the dogs out, pick up Trevor, find something to eat for dinner along the way and fight all the commuter traffic.

Her mom made her pretty cake!

and...

I finally got to see the baby! This is baby Joey. He was asleep the whole time and his mom wouldn't let me wake him up. So unfair ;) He looks just like his big sister Adrian.

Well have a good day everyone, off to read a few blogs before I have to get ready. 

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Handcrafter's Boutique

Well yesterday went pretty well. It was a bit exhausting loading my car up though. The great thing about this event is they get a lot of volunteers to help you unload/load your car up and set up. So I didn't have to carry too much stuff over to my spot by  myself. My car was definitely FULL though. Need to work on that. I think I want to get one more folding 6' table so my tables are all the same and will stack better in the car. I have a really old card table I use for my corner piece. I'm pretty positive it's older than I am. Actually maybe a 4 ft table would be better to fit the 10x10 spaces. 

The only bad thing about this spot was the dirt right in front of my table and on the inside area. I'm still wearing sandals since the weather has forgotten it's November and was 80 plus yesterday. My feet were rather dirty.

Thinking of getting 2 more racks for my key fobs so they'd go across the whole table

I made the little treasure bags $2 and sold several, the tissue packets are usually a huge. I sold a few but when I went to walk around I saw someone else was selling them for $1. I only do that when I'm down to a few that don't sell and I'm ok with that lol. 

The people across from me to the left of this picture were in full sun almost all day. I'm glad I wasn't on that angle. They kept standing over by my booth because it was shady. That was a bit annoying when people were walking by and couldn't see my stuff. 

I marked all the wine bottle bags down to $5 and they finally started to sell. They really don't use much fabric or time so even though it feels like I'm giving them away I'm not really losing any money on them.

Didn't sell any tooth fairy pillows. Towards the end of the day I put them on the table and they got more attention. I think I'm only going to use the screens if I'm not set up on a corner. I think they'd be better closer to the tables.

This wreath is going on my front door now lol.

All in all it felt like sales were slow but I did make a bit of money when I counted it all up! Jess came for a bit to hang out with me so I could go to the bathroom and walk around a little. The only thing I bought was food though!

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Craft Show Tomorrow!

OMG I have headphones on at home because some people are so annoying. Seriously.

Just about got all my stuff ready for tomorrow's event! Went through my box that has become the "junk box" and cleaned it out. Just need to load my stuff in the car.

Last night I went to bed at like 7:30 lol I think I stayed awake for about 2 more hours watching Netflix and playing the "lightning" games on Words with Friends. Jess told me about those and OMG that's got my competitive spirit going. I'm like I need to get the MOST points on the team.

I've been watching many many episodes and seasons of Midsomer Murders. The episodes are really long, like an hour and a half and I think I'm on season 11 and there are TWENTY seasons. That'll keep you busy for awhile! Usually I'm watching it while I'm sewing. Which I haven't done much of this week even though that was my goal. Oh well I have plenty of stuff to sell still. I'll try again next week ;) Sunday maybe!

Today on my lunch I went over to the flea market and walked around. I got 2 grocery bags of stuff from one vendor I go to a lot. $7! I'm pretty sure these people just buy storage units and then just unload it all at the flea market. They put everything in messy rows and you just walk up and down and pick through to find stuff.

I'm always looking for sewing stuff to keep or resell. This little tin is full of buttons and other stuff.

I had to get this book because it peaked my interest. Who knew they did calorie counting in 1923? 

I just had to laugh though since it's about being healthy and the first thing you see when you open it is recipes for junk food.

What's for dinner? Looks like a good place to put your favorite cream puffs recipe!

Too funny. I'm totally going to read this whole book. I love nutrition stuff when people aren't forcing me to see their side ;)

Ok I'm going to go lay on my bed and watch some Netflix. The craft show tomorrow doesn't start until 10 so I'll probably leave the house around 7:30. 2 hours is more than enough time to set up.

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Get Out Your Wallets

Well Halloween is over, time for the big push to buy buy buy all the crap you never knew you needed. Well after the elections are over anyways.

It's so weird having big kids on Halloween and no littles around. I fully planned on staying home and sewing but I ended up going over to the neighbor's to hang out by her little fire and lots of neighbor friends. (Trevor came with me) We hardly ever get any trick or treaters so I didn't even buy any candy. Plus we had just done the trunk or treat so all the neighbor kids got my candy on Saturday lol.

The night before Halloween the big kids all wanted to carve pumpkins. I got 5 for $2 each at the little kid's vegetable stand across the street from my work. I didn't even take pictures of them all and they didn't all get lit up because I had no candy and didn't want the kids coming to the door lol.  I had even stopped to get some candles per Jessica's request but then I got home and she wasn't even here and no one else seemed to care. Oh well Halloween fail.

When I was at the neighbor's house I ran over a little wood thing (think a 1/8 sized railroad tie for size) and after my low tire light came on. DAMN IT! I checked the tires when I got out and everything seemed ok but this morning one was really flat. I forgot to check until I was at the bus stop with Trevor and I knew there was no driving on that. I came back home and one of my neighbors came over to help me by putting some air in it. I got to work just fine and it was still ok at lunch. When I came out after work it was pretty low again. One of my coworkers had a little tire pump in his truck so he filled it up for me (and in the process I realized I ALSO have a little tire pump where there is no spare tire in my trunk lol. Stupid KIA)

I went to America's Tire on the way home and there was a screw in my tire. They fixed it for FREE. Talk about some good customer service. I will continue to get tires there. The only thing bad that has ever happened there is that Jessica's wheel cover fell off her tire not too long after she got tires last time. Probably just didn't get popped all the way back in.

After that I got a car wash, gas and went through KFC drive through for dinner because I was so hungry. Do not try to eat a piece of chicken out of the bucket on the way home, you WILL burn your fingers. Dang.

Ok here is my chubby Halloween outfit for Ann. I only wore the goofy glasses for the picture! Time for less KFC and more exercise. But it's like November 1st so maybe I'll just wait until the 1st of January ;)

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Trunk or Treat

Every day at work I'm like I'm so going to do some sewing when I get home. Then I'm home and it's 7:00 and I haven't got anything done.

Saturday is the big Handcrafter's Boutique that I've done a few times now. It's my favorite craft show because people come prepared to buy handmade items. This year it is actually NOT supposed to rain woot woot. That probably means we'll have a ton of wind but I'm hoping it's just a nice day.

Ok onto some pics from last Saturday's Trunk or Treat! I did not decorate my car. Next year I need to plan ahead and decorate my car since it gives you an anchor on where you hang out lol.

Some people set up this fantastic display. Notice their motorhomes, they stayed down in the campground over night. Usually there are a lot more motor homes but some people are boycotting the campgrounds because they made a new rule that they can no longer empty their tanks there (they used to be able to do it for free)

The dragons blew out smoke bubbles (below them actually) Cool but probably not great if you are asthmatic.

This little "trailer" has got a work out from Redneck party to Trunk or Treat lol

3 of the 4 Flamingos. Slightly sad I didn't get invited into the "cool kids flamingo club"

Jess with her spider web trunk

Hmm there's Trevor by the girl in the sparkly red outfit..

Ninja Robert (back with his mom now so I can post pics :))

My girls and their partners

Forcing Trevor to take a selfie with me

Steampunkers

Dad and niece Adrian

Nephew Tony

Spider girl and boy ;)

When arm wrestling breaks out

After the party I went home and did some sewing but I'll save those pictures for another day!

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