Basket Case

It finally rained last night! The weather all weekend was balmy and sticky—thank God for the rain!

I’m having a dilemma! Should I buy a booth at the Christmas Boutique at church, or should I skip it this year? I did it last year with some success—I did get 3 recruitments from the booth, and some sales-but I think between the cost of the booth, the time and energy and sales, I generally broke even. If I do decide to do it this year, I will definitely do some things differently. If I have a demo, I’ll have to buy a few of each so I can sell it right there and then. I had a few Christmas animated demos that the kids really liked to look at—you know the little Christmas tree that lights up, and the dancing penguins, and I wish I could have had a few on hand to sell right then and there. People don’t like to be told, “you can order it and get it later.” I will also have to charge tax—I didn’t do it last time, and I think that was a mistake. It’s a whole weekend project, from 8 to 5 pm. Last year I was sicker than a dog, and I was new at it, and didn’t know what to expect. I dragged myself over there, and I know I sounded, and felt like a two pack smoker, and whiskey guzzling ole’ woman. That alone may have scared a few potential customers. “Hhhello---would yer like to buy some Avvoon?” At the same time, it was kind of fun—I mean if I had felt better it would have gone better. I met a few nice people there, and I was warned right away by the lady at the booth next to mine, to whom not to accept checks from—something you wouldn’t think to be a concern at a church boutique, huh? Another issue is the time. By the end of the week, after working, my daily commute, the kids, my mom, and keeping up with the house, etc., I really don’t have the time. The weekend is the only time basically I have. I’ll have to make the time if I do decide to commit to it. I went to a craft store over the weekend, and I left the building inspired, but I’m I haven’t decided yet. Over the weekend I did assemble a gift basket that I was asked to donate. It was fun to make—I could easily make 50 more. We shall see it’s in November! What’s in November: my son’s birthday, a cousin’s wedding, and Thanksgiving. It’s going to be a busy month either way, but what month isn’t, right?

I still have some fixing to do at this site---was not able to get to it and update anything. May have to wait until the end of the week, the way things are going.

I came across the book the other day, it’s called: 14,000 Things To Be Happy About, by Barbara Kipfer. The way the world is today, and all the negativity, I think it’s important to be happy, and grateful. I think it’s easy to forget to be happy. Here are a few:

1. Racing a bike
2. Saving money on almost everything
3. Sailboat sails
4. Babies burping
5. Leftover flower children
6. Echoes in a cave
7. African violets
8. Bread factories
9. Grand slams
10. The little store on the corner
11. Fireworks
12. Decorated Christmas trees
13. Beach Umbrellas
14. Love that lasts and lasts
15. Antique pop-up books
16. Last summer’s seashells from the beach
17. Tooth fairies
18. Santa’s kitchen
19. Dr Seuss Books
20. Falling asleep on the lawn

I hope you week includes at least one of these. Have a good one!