End of the Week for Nanner
I’m bowing out early this week. I’m taking Nate and Danlel, that’s his sister, to the local Discovery Museum for a Science Explosion Camp-In. Yeah, what was I thinking?
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Sara, from “Sara and the Condors,”(at least on my blogroll) soon to be titled, “Sara in Utah,” (at least on my blogroll) posted earlier about her sister having breast cancer and gave a link to The Breast Cancer Site. You can hop over there and click the pink button once a day and help pay for free mammograms. She recently posted again but you can read her cousin’s letter here as she is raising funds for the Komen Tarrant County Race for the Cure, an affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Be sweeties and at least run over there and say hi to Sara and if possible donate towards a cure for breast cancer!!
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How long should I give peeps to get back to me on estimates for cards/brochures etc.? I’m an impatient person so I was just wondering. Does anyone out there work in printing? I need folded cards that I can put info on for my beadwork. I’m thinking of splurging on brochures as well. Anyone? My design is going to be a … PEACH!! Bet you couldn’t have guessed that one!
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I’m beat, I’m bushed, I’m worn out!! Work was tough today. Long technical stuff. Still have tomorrow to go and then the Camp-In, drop the kids at Jeff’s Saturday morning, back to my old job to close everything out, turn in my parking card, schlep my stuff out, then to my new job to make up a few hours, then home to bead (read: nap, then bead).
Ya’ll have a good weekend!
Remember the Nabes?
Yeah, those nabes… the ones always borrowing money from me and highly reluctant to pay it back? Well, about a month ago, they received notice that their home was being foreclosed upon. Supposedly they had brought the loan current but turns out due to bad bookkeeping or soaring interest rates or something fishy of that nature, it wasn’t enough.
Now, the whole thing started smelling worse when I realized that not only weren’t they paying the mortgage nor the gas bill nor the cable bill nor her cell phone bill nor the garbage bill nor had they paid the taxes on the house, but also the water was delinquent enough that in the week they were given to get out, their water was also turned off. They didn’t have a car payment and insurance I know with minimal limits would surely have been fairly reasonable, $50 or so a month, and given that she made a little less than I did at my last job, they should have been rolling in the cash. Ya know?
I mean, if you’re not paying any of your bills, doesn’t it make sense that you wouldn’t suddenly go broke from Thursday to Tuesday when on Thursday your paycheck was approximately $400 – $450 and you get paid once a week? I mean, money coming in, no money going out to pay anything…
Yeah, smelly, at best.
So, this past weekend, a former friend of their’s stops to see me. This guy’s wife and the nabe had been best friends, worked together, partied together, the whole nine yards, until this guy’s wife had a triple bypass and the nabe just couldn’t be bothered to even call her (even from MY phone) to see how she was.
So, this guy tells me that the nabe, in addition to her husband losing his job and not bothering to get off his lazy ass to get another one, lost her job last Tuesday for missing too many days of work. Know what she did with her last paycheck? Bought $200 worth of a prescription medication that she does NOT have a prescription for. Obviously, this has been going on for some time. Everything fell neatly into place. Being broke all the time, having the desperate need for money, to the point I couldn’t even walk from my car to my house that one of them was accosting me for funds.
The nabe came over after her cell phone was turned off wanting to use the phone, where, following me saying I didn’t have $5 or $10 or $20 to loan them (for an indefinite (read: forever) period of time) I watched nabe scroll through the phonebook on her cell, and proceed to call one person after another.
This guy told me that they were indebted to another friend to the tune of $700. It’s hard to tell how much they owe everyone in her family, since he’s pretty much not speaking to his (since his brother-in-law fired him because he was taking prescription meds that he didn’t have a script for), so, yeah, this has been going on, I guess, since last summer. Now, neither one of them has a job, and The Lonely Child, calls me from his grandma’s wondering if I have seen them since they’ve been gone for nine hours. Some of their shit is still sitting on my porch and the promised funds that they were supposed to pay back some time ago are still, well, promissory.
You know, I wish I could say that I feel sorry for them, but I don’t. Yes, people, everyday, ordinary people can get hooked on drugs. You have to realize that though and have some damn pride instead of laying on your ass and thinking the world owes you something and at the same time, don’t be so prideful that you won’t work ANYWHERE to keep a roof over your child’s head, and food in his stomach. I was prepared to do what I had to do, within reason, to keep the things that I’ve busted my ass for.
Yep, that’s who I feel sorry for, The Lonely Child, for having two parents as selfish as those two are. Who would rather cry and whine about life and about how they can’t afford to buy him a winter coat so someone else will, and then use the money to go party on. Yep, that’s who I feel sorry for.
What Day Is It?
I’m so tired, I have to look at new blog postings to know what day it is. I’ve been beading and working, and working and beading, and trying to get estimates on the website, business cards/tags, beading (did I already say that?). Finally, at work today we received lap tops to do our work on. Praise the Lord and Lady. Amen.
Have ya’ll heard that song, “I’m In Love With a Stripper?” What the fuck? My colleagues have a love for this strange fare and I’m repulsed. Could I have some Metallica over here?
If I haven’t answered your e-mail yet (SE7EN), I’m getting there. I swear. If I haven’t visited your blog, I’m getting there. If I comment and it doesn’t show up because I’m an idiot (Crypto), then I was still there.
Just three more errands to run, an e-mail to respond to, Nate’s homework, a load of clothes, including Nate’s karate outfit. And beading (did I say that already?) And sleep. Sleep is good.
Coal Miner *Edited*
Isn’t this beautiful? Would you like one? They’re $15 and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the WV Coal Miners’ Fund. If you would like to order one, send an e-mail to tshirtorders@aol.com. At least let me know what you think, like it? Hate it? Let me know. It’s not my creation, but I really, really like it.
*Rolls Eyes*
Yesterday, on my way to the bank, I called my parents to let them know the happy news. My mom answered the phone and I said, “Hello, your daughter is now an artisan at Tamarack.”
There was a short pause and then my mom says, “Oh, she is?” Then there was another pause.
I said, “Yeeeaaahhhh…” The woman is acting like she had not a clue that I was going to Tamarack.
Another pause.
She asked something as I got my money from the bank and continued on home while giving the abbreviated version of events. As I got out of the car and was yelling to Nate and trying to get everything in the house, I told her I had to go.
She said, “Well, congratulations.”
I said, “Okay, thanks.”
She was totally thrilled and tickled pink, it was just stuck somewhere deep inside of her. The overwhelming emotion shut down her joy center. She must have been all choked up.
Pfffft!
Validation is nice but you can’t live for it. If I wasn’t proud of my work, I wouldn’t have taken it down there. It’s nice to have validation from them and from others that they like my creations, especially you peeps. But, what it comes down to, is being proud of your own accomplishments, challenging yourself, and continuing to improve.
I can’t say that I’m surprised by her reaction, since I’ve lived through it many times in my life. I’m more irritated than anything, irritated that she thinks I need her to be proud of me in order for me to be proud of myself. The Peach stopped playing that game.
Wotcher!
*The title is a popular greeting by Tonks in the last two Harry Potter books*
So, Nanner is officially an artisan at Tamarack. WOOT!!!
The judge loved the amulet bag, had a few concerns about thread and wire and toggles, but otherwise was happy with my work. As far as marketing, she was iffy on the rings, the watch was definitely out. No watches are sold at Tamarack because all watch faces are foreign made.
The buyer said the rings would be out because of sizing. She loved the watch but had to nix it, asked me though to make the same pattern in a bracelet. The green sparkly bracelet has some toggle issues and I will be using a different thread. Otherwise, I’m cool.
Now I have these rings. $20 bucks and they’re yours! First come, first serve, I’ll take orders too. I can get different colors.
I also talked to her about my miniatures. She said so long as they’re a pin or a centerpiece for a necklace, that would be cool. Otherwise they are considered something else and I would have to re-jury. Remember some of my miniatures? 
Now ya do!
Anyhow, I have a bunch of examples of the work I’ve done but blogger would have a cow if I tried to post all of them. CrazyRideLady and EvilScienceGettingMarriedChick, I’ll need some idea of what colors and what you’re looking for in order to get you a good idea of how long it will take me to get your wedding jewelry complete. I can also do those hanging beaded hair things.
I need a nap, but I think I’ll go bead!!
Beading, and Fishing, and All Things Irish
Look what I did!
Wait, you can’t look. You can’t look because my darling angel, Nate, who put himself to bed tonight before I found out he had drained the battery power from my digital camera. Goddess, love his heart. Little booger just got up to go potty. What a young man! And he’ll go back to bed without any recollection and cuddle Marco who is his favorite kitty now while I attempt to explain my new beadwork and why I haven’t been by to visit you.
*Sigh*
Wednesday is D-Day. Or B-Day. Well, that doesn’t really work either. Perhaps J-Day, not to be confused with J-Date, as the day I go before the jury for my beadwork. I had a couple of pieces that were almost finished, with three actual pieces done and now I have five because I found this simple as hell pattern for a cocktail ring in the new Bead and Button magazine, so, I made two of them.
One is made with 4 and 6 mm bicone Swarovski crystals, light siam (fancy name for red) and this orange iridescent crystal called frosted opal. I’m not sure why they call it frosted because it’s not. If you saw my amulet bag “Phoenix,” it would go perfect with it. So, the frosted opal is more of a sparkly tangerine. The other one I made from 4mm siam, clear purple, and frosted purple, sorta. The names just don’t do them justice. And alas, I have no camera. Bummer.
Also instead of using thread, I used Fireline, which you angling aficionados with recognize is fishing line. I used 6 lb. test, just so ya know. The edges of the Swarovskis will cut through thread so you have to use something you can’t cut from the spool with your teeth.
This is fascinating, right? Yeah, I didn’t think so.
How about something plastic fell on the floor furnace and is burning? Yeah, I can see it from here. *Drip* *Drip* *Sizzle*
How about I was sitting here last night feeding my H.I.M. obsession when I saw Lola run past the door with one of Ireland’s newborn kittens in her mouth? (Ireland had three babies on Friday. How’s that for IRONY??? If you don’t get it, Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day, get it? Yeah, try to keep up.)
Two seconds later I see Ireland heading back the other direction with the same kitten in her mouth. Bwhahahhahahaaa! How about another kitten woke me up at 11:50 p.m. and then 3:25 a.m. because Lola had stolen it, deposited it in the bedroom floor, and then was in a hissing, growling, “stop fucking with my babies” stand-off with Ireland and I had to get up and deposit said squalling baby back under the couch, where I found Lola’s seven week old kitten lookin’ pa nub? No, that’s not funny. How I chastise the sister cats like they’re humans, now that’s funny! Like they’re going to fucking listen to me.
Some names in the running for Ireland’s babies? Celti, Siobhan, Seamus, Flanagan, and Flaherty. And since I’m of Irish stock, well, they’re Irish through and through.
Mazel Tov!
What, that’s Hebrew? Aww, quit your kvetching.
A Totally Narcissistic Post
As Nate and I were leaving his dad’s today, Nate’s sister’s Mom, Lo, told me she needed to tell me something and shooed the kids off to our respective cars.
“I saw DL yesterday and told him about you maybe moving to New York City and going to grad school there.”
DL is the old nickname for a former flame who happened to be my Mama and Papa’s cardiologist. This was 15 years ago when I worked at a local hospital. We hung out and while we never progressed to anything more than pleasure of the oral variety, we fondly recall one another. He asks Lo about me and she keeps me up to date on his progeny since his marriage a few years ago. I didn’t think he would ever walk down the aisle but finally he did and I think they’ve had three or four kids in five or six years.
Anyway, he was rather fondly recalling me with “mmmmm’s” and then, “You know, what I wouldn’t give to have just one more night with her.”
Lo said, “She’s singllllllle.”
He said, “No, I couldn’t. I’m married now.” He left but comes back later.
He asks how I look, am I still cute, etc.
He asks if I have a son, which Lo says I do and he’s almost 10 years old. She goes on to explain about his seizures and such and DL asks, “So, do you know who her son’s father is?”
At this point in the story, Lo and I both burst out laughing. I’m sure Jeff and his girlfriend and half the neighborhood heard us.
Lo said, “Uh yeah! My ex-husband!”
DL says, “DOH! That was almost 10 years ago, I forgot!”
He looks back at Lo again and says, “What I wouldn’t give for just one more time with her.”
Lo said, “I’ll let her know.”
It’s nice to know that even after 15 years, I’m well remembered, if for nothing else, my oral skills and big boobs. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.
So Much…
Work
I miss you guys!! Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve worked totally without a computer? A long ass time. My hand started cramping today. Right now the documents we are reviewing are from the accounting department *YAWN* Yet, they dangle the carrot in front of us saying the “real important documents” are right behind these. We received two more banker’s boxes today. Still interesting, although it’s tiring because I’m not used to it. I’ll be cranking by middle of next week.
Lex and That Love Metal Band From Finland
H.I.M. I’m so fucking addicted to these peeps. I practically wrote a dissertation to Lex about my insanity over them. He played their song, “Wings of a Butterfly” at the end of his shift today. I IM’d him when I got home and said, “I heard that!! You’re feeding my addiction!! I see how ya are!!” Speaking of Lex, he’s hooking me up with a station contact for a sweet deal on a cell phone. It pays to have friends in low places.
Blogger Dreams
A blogger dreamed about me. I have no details but I’m always interested in what situations I find myself in in other peeps dreams. I hope I had a good time!!
Nate and Sensei Smiley
Nate has had strep throat so he’s missed three days of karate. I had to go in and talk to Sensei Smiley today because for some reason, the payment was not coming out of my account. Come to find out, I had it on my debit card, which I had to replace because it broke and they issued me a new number and now… I can’t find the damn card!!! DOH!! I don’t think he’s really interested in me. I also forgot to tell him I liked his hair cut, but, I still have to talk to him next week when I find my card. Regardless, I don’t think he’s very interested, maybe mildly but, nah, not really. He’s still nice to look at.
AZ
Dum, dum, dummmmm… I really shouldn’t have cracked on him so hard. He is, after all, writing one of my recommendations for Columbia. If anyone on this Earth knows me, it’s him. If anyone knows my writing, it’s him. If anyone knows my ambitions, it’s him.
Regardless, truth is truth, but he’s put up with my shit too. Just a sliver of clarity to know that even if I don’t like some of the things he does, doesn’t mean I don’t still like him. There’s much more to him than the asshole. Still doesn’t atone for the other shit, but either I accept him as he is or I don’t. For now, I do, just much wiser in the process. I also invoked his name for my cell phone deal, again, proving that having friends in low places has its advantages.
That’s about it from my end of the world. There’s probably more, but I’m soooo tired!!
Anything Goes 