Thursday, October 22, 2009

Stamps and blather

These are the stamps I'm using for the Winter newsletter mailing. It's called Thanksgiving Day Parade, and it looks like a window pane of 4 designs on the USPS web site, but they've just arrived and it's really a vertical strip, with one entire design spread across all 4 stamps. Kind of cool. If you look closely the bottom row attaches to the back of the first two and it's a little slice of band and giant turkey balloon from the New York Macy's parade.

I just thought the colors were nice and it was more hip than the stupid holiday stamp designs this year. I never like to do religious ones - just doesn't fit with business. But the generic holiday is usually dumb - nutcrackers, ornaments. I'd love a pretty snowflake design. But the parade it is. And I'm running on about this why? Because I don't got nuthin' else.

I've been mulling over the blog, which is especially dusty and forlorn. In order to write a blog - a personal type blog, not just a business/advertising/marketing type blog - you have to be doing or thinking something interesting. Or else be an especially great writer of boring nothings. None of the above going on over here. My life is so singularly dull right now. Nothing but work.

It's a week or two before the big kick off of November and December holiday sales. Next month is when the newsletter goes out. The craft shows will be 3 per week. The mail order stuff will be piling up into mountains. And I'll be buried deep for a couple of months, just running frantically. And right now is just as frantic, but in prep work. Finishing up the last minute decisions, writing the letter, updating the web site etc. I spend all day making as much soap as possible, running around from task to task, doing half of it, while my mind reels out of control, jotting notes, starting another little task, another little pile. Printing labels, making supply runs, endless lists, questioning everything. So, so dull.

And the blog? Well, there's hardly time to write. But I can't think straight enough to get a sentence out anyway. And honestly, even thinking about doing a blog post seems like another chore. You know what happens when you commit to a personal blog? Your whole perception of your day, your life changes - like you work your way through each activity thinking about how to describe it to strangers rather than just doing it and moving on. Should I write about this? or this? or this? Oh, maybe I should be taking a picture of my breakfast? Or talk about what I had for dinner? which might be interesting, if it weren't just toast or noodles.

So alas, I'm just incredibly busy. Doing the doing that has to be done right now. And not having any kind of entertaining thoughts about any of it. Just head down. Shoulders hunched and sore. A slight headache. Because I'm a one-gal show over here and there's way too many things on my plate at the moment. It's like this every year. This one isn't worse, or better. It just is and that's what I do.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Vasa Park This Week


This week is the fall Country Creations show at Vasa Park Ballroom on Lake Sammamish in Bellevue. Just to explain again, this is a different show than the Country Crafts (unique names, huh?) show that was at Vasa Park for a million years. Sue quit the business and the show stopped for a couple of years, until last year when Sandy Roundy started her show in that same location. So it's a little different organization. Some of the same vendors, some new ones. Lots of fall gift and home decor.

We will be setting up the displays today. And it gets into full swing tomorrow. The deets:

Country Creations Home and Gift Show
Vasa Park Ballroom
3549 W Lk Sammamish Pkwy
Bellevue, WA

Dates: October 15-17
Hours: Thursday and Friday 10am to 7pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm

Link to directions: Vasa Park Resort

The past few days has been a whirlwind of laying pavers for a path and a patio in back. Everything hurts - hands, knees, back. So loading the car doesn't look that fun this morning.

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Group Health Shop


This week I am starting my first of two little holiday gift shops at Group Health. I am "renting" their little retail space on Capitol Hill to set up my own gift shop for the next 3 days. A portion of all of the sales goes to their Patient Needs Fund, which buys supplies and necessities for patients there, part of their Volunteer Program.

It's a great time to start shopping for Christmas presents a little early, just to spread out the budget a bit. And this year, consumables are the way to go. Nobody wants "stuff" this year. But a little treat that you can use up quickly and enjoy is just the ticket. Soap and bath goodies are better than food, because you don't have to worry about your waistline!

Dates:
Wednesday through Friday,
October 7 - 9
9:30am to 4:30pm

Location: Group Health central campus, Seattle
Address: 108 - 15th Ave E, Capitol Hill, half a block south and across the street from the big Safeway store at the corner of John St.

I'll be back there for a few days at the beginning of December with the winter holiday products for last-minute Christmas shopping too.

Monday, October 05, 2009

October

It's all good. The weekend ended up being beautiful weather, though a bit chilly on Saturday. And sales were great. But what's even better?

The sweetest little girl stopped by the booth with her family to sniff up the soaps. She picked up one after another, mmmmm'ing and ahhhhh'ing until she got to one specific one. With the bar smooshed up under her nose she cried "Oh Mommy, I love this one! I could smell it for my entire life!!" Yes indeed.

It happens to be my favorite one too. But I'm not telling which one. Because if you don't care for it, you'll think we're crazy. And if you happen to feel that way about one of the others, I don't want to make you doubt your choice. Hopefully somebody thinks that about each and every flavor.

It's all good.

This week I'm at Group Health - my own temporary shop space that I've done in the past. Wednesday through Friday. I'll get the details together and post that later. There's way too much to do today to get ready for it all. Just wanted to pop in and say it was a great weekend and life is good. That's all it takes.

Friday, October 02, 2009

Issaquah Salmon Days



This is the 40th anniversary of Salmon Days in downtown Issaquah. This year’s festivities promise to be the best ever with all your favorites...the Grande Parade, delicious Foods of the World, creative and colorful arts and crafts, exciting live entertainment, and our central hub of family fun at the Field of Fun.

Dates: Saturday and Sunday, October 3 and 4, 2009
Place: Historic old downtown Issaquah
Times: 10am - 6pm both days
Booth Location: Same spot as last few years! Booth #318, located on W. Sunset Way, at the corner of the driveway entrance to the hatchery.

Link: Salmon Days They've got all kinds of info here - schedules of entertainment, maps, etc.

They say don't bring your pets, but bring your umbrella. And don't miss the fun!