Another Day

Another day, the same as before and little has changed. You might wonder why I bother writing every weekday when it is obvious that I have little or nothing of value to share. It's habit, my friends. When I began blogging I knew I had to make it part of my daily schedule or I would fail right out. I am a creature of habit and my day has a loose but clearly defined schedule that keeps me going from one task to another. Blogging is second in my day after feeding the cats. Seriously, you don't want to make them wait...I am severely outnumbered there. So every morning, Monday through Friday I sit down and my computer, check my email, look through a few other blogs and then start to write. I rarely plan what I'm going to ramble on about, I just know that I must do it.

Since it is my way, a quick recap of the day before is in order. Speaking of orders, I did have one, but that was it. Remaking the sold item was most of the day, but when it was finished I found myself staring at the computer waiting for something to happen. When it didn't I took to reading again. I finished the first book I downloaded and got a second based on a friend's recommendation. This one is a tad heavier with the first chapter written, um...it's hard to explain, but suffice it to say, it was a tough read with an outcome that seriously stays with you. I am not even finished with the second chapter yet and I'm certain it's not going to end well either. Point it, I'm reading...on my phone and I'm enjoying it. Today should likely be very much the same again. I have one piece to remake and then there is a family dentist appointment. Again, I hope for something interesting to happen to enliven my posts if nothing else. Once more into the breach.

Um...

It was a fairly busy day in the shop yesterday and that kept me busy tatting most of the day. I must have done something wrong though because halfway through the day I hurt my hand or wrist somehow. The injury manifested itself when I tried to open a jar and it sent searing pair up my wrist. It seems fine this morning so I'm hoping it was just something I did and not something you know...permanent. I live in terror of things like arthritis. I need my hands way too much.

I of course have nothing new and interesting to show you, but I did take a cat picture so I had something to liven up this boring place. This is one of the kittens, Neko and Isis, who is their de facto momma cat.

The only other thing I did yesterday was to complain about machine lace being called handmade. I keep running into it on etsy. They tag it tatting or crochet and sometimes you can tell they picked it up at the fabric store and sometimes its made on one of those home embroidery machines. Either way, it is most certainly not handmade...I might accept homemade, but the only thing their hands did is thread the machine and push some buttons. I know I sound bitter. It can be quiet pretty stuff, but I hate that people are misled into thinking it could in anyway be the same thing as tatting lace or any of the other time consuming lace making skills. So long as a distinction is made, I pretty much like all lace, but enough of that.

I'm all caught up this morning on remaking things for the shop. I've sold a few pieces I don't plan on remaking at all and I actually had doubles on another, so this morning it's snowflake making again whilst crossing my fingers that the shop keeps on humming giving me more to get done.

A Little Better

Yes, it was another long weekend, but here at the end of it at least I feel better than I did most of last week. I'm still nowhere near 100%, but I think the worst of it is past. I just really don't have the time to be sick right now. There are things that need doing. The shop still hasn't gotten up to the speed I remember from last year and I don't mind telling you that I'm a mite bit worried about that. It's picked up sure, but not as much as my early Christmas shopping dictates. So I must then spend more time on the Internet trying to guilt people into spending their dollars with me. This is not my strong suit so I will likely just complain a bit, try to keep working and hope.

Over the weekend I did in fact finish the gift project I've been working on like I said I would. Should the light cooperate, I'll get some nice photos of it this week so that after it is gifted I can show it to you. I also had a few small orders come in giving me something to remake and I got all of that accomplished save for one bracelet which I will get to today. I'll also need to make up some more free snowflakes as my supply has dwindled and I've been less on task regarding those than my grand plans dictated. I really don't think they have helped get any sales I wouldn't have gotten otherwise, but I suppose it's a nice little treat this time of year regardless. I also have to try and keep the child focused on schooling for the next three weeks when I'm fairly certain she has vacation fever already. Sounds fun, doesn't it? Well, hopefully something photo worthy will happen this week so I can be more entertaining, though I promise nothing.

Still Sick

We had a nice busy day around here yesterday. There was school and errands to run while the insane wind threatened blown down our house. Yes, I'm being melodramatic, but it was some crazy wind and my cold has increased it's strength as well making me, well...melodramatic.

After errands I had the custom order to attend to and just after that another small order came in so I have a few things that will need remaking today as well. No, I didn't get around to the gift project. I shall have to make a distinct effort this weekend to get that finished, though if I remember correctly, the week before Christmas is dead as a door nail so if I don't get round to it before then, I'll at least have the last minute to pull it out.

So, that's pretty much all I've got for this morning. I did download a book on my iphone for the first time because I had plenty of credit and wanted to read something. I thought it would be a pain to read on it, but it was surprisingly easy and convenient. I can just set down the phone on the couches arm rest and tat while I read. I only have to pause briefly to 'flip' the pages. It's so nice to read something written for grownups without taking time away from what else needs to be done. Yep, that's it for me. Have a nice weekend all.

They Always Come In Threes

I should have known what was coming the second the oldest daughter got a sore throat. I should have better prepared myself to inherit the germs that were already flying into my unsuspecting body, but I didn't. So yesterday morning when my own throat started to feel scratchy I uttered one of those long overdrawn, Noooooooooooo's. I am now the proud owner of a used cold. Small consultation is that after the husband mocked that he was fine, he too began the quick descent from scratching throat to mucus over producer. The daughter that gave it to me is already feeling almost fine, so here's hoping it's a quick one for the rest of us.

Despite the cold, there was still work to be done of course. I still had schooling and laundry and I was lucky enough to get another custom color order giving me more direction for the day. I had finished the boutonniere in the morning using a large skein of hand dyed thread. I mention this because I forgot to put it away and as I sat down to start on the custom order. The child held up the skein rescued from the cats. The picture shows me about halfway through rolling it up. They had luckily only broken through the thread toward the beginning and the end of the skein. How they managed that, I have no idea, but it's mostly okay now.

Since minor disasters always come in threes and I had already experienced the cold and the thread, I should have suspected the third incident, but as usual, I did not. I'm working on a pair of barefoot sandals in a custom color most of the afternoon. I'm finishing up one of the small side motifs and hiding the ends when this happens. Yes, you guessed right, my needle snaps right in half. What's sad is this isn't the first time I've managed to snap a needle. Sure, we've all bent the smaller ones, but I can't believe that I exert the amount of force necessary to snap steel while playing with thread. Clearly I do and I'm no longer sorry that I have several sets of needle lying around, just in case...it's not paranoia if they're really after you.

So, what's on tap for today. Hopefully more orders after I finish up the custom one. I might run some errands if I feel up to it and if no more orders come in, I really will work on the gift project. Here's to a quick death to my cold.