Okay, not really, since it is super cold outside and snowed yesterday. But before that it was deliciously warm!!!!
And what does this mean, you may ask? It means it is time to start seeds for my garden! Oh, yes, this is indeed, very exciting.
I love to start seeds. I love to watch the garden grow. Okay, so I don't love digging in the dirt so much, but Mike and The Small One do! And just seeing those little green sprouts fight their way out of the darkness in the little greenhouse in my window brings me an awful lot of joy. I get ridiculously giddy about it, as a matter of fact.
As the economy has tanked and we are a bit low on funds, I will be starting even more seeds than usual this year. Mike has plans for a much larger garden space this year, although we did have quite a bounteous harvest last year. He has plans for an even more bounteous one this year. Much canning will be done in the fall, more than usual!
The Small One loves to be outside and loves to play in the dirt. At her daddy's request, I purchased a hoe, rake and shovel yesterday, in pink, naturally, for the small one to use in her gardening. She has a special outfit to wear as well. It consists of wellies, overalls and a gingham sleeveless shirt. We call it her Farmer Boo outfit. Terribly cute. I need to get her a straw hat to keep the sun off of her very delicate complexion!
Needless to say, I have had quite enough of winter. Gloomy weather on top of gloomy finances do not make a person supremely jolly. At least, not this person!!!!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Good news? Bad news?
Or maybe just no news.
I would like to post that there is good news going on, but really, I can't think of anything.
I just spent the past two weeks working 65-70 hours each week, trying to finish sample corrections and do the photo shoot for the catalogue. It was mind numbing and so very fatiguing. Really, really makes me wonder why on earth I decided to do this. The entire time it was going on, The Small One was very put out with me, and I can't say I blame her. Bless her little heart, she was bent at mamma for working so much and not paying enough attention to her. I worked at home part of the time, simply because I could not stand to be in my basement studio at the bridal shop any longer. Whilst I attempted to work at home, The Small One would walk up, give me that look, reach down and grab my thread and chuck it across the room. I think she may have wanted some attention. Eventually, I would give up and play with her, which of course, is what she was after. It did result, however, in my having to stay up VERY late to finish things after she had gone to bed. Really, I would rather play with her than spend 30 hours beading a dress I don't even like. But, I suppose we all do what we must...
In other not great news, we are having trouble on the health insurance front. I am uninsurable, Mike is uninsurable (it is none of your business why, so don't even ask), which means we can't get insurance for The Small One, either. We applied for CHIP, but apparently, even my paltry income is too much to qualify. Seriously, gov't aid is broken in this country. You have to be utterly destitute to qualify for anything, and once you reach that level, how in hell are you supposed to get out? No wonder people end up on welfare or gov't assistance forever. There aren't many other options. Ugh, I can't get started or I will end up soapboxing about it for pages and pages. Not a good option. Just makes me mad.
Okay, some good news here then, although it isn't anything important. I am nearly done with my Two-Toned Shrug from fitted knits. Except it isn't two-toned. Just one. Currently grey, but I will be dyeing it when I am finished. I haven't decided what color yet, though. I got some Jo-ann Sensations Kashmira for 90 cents a skein a while ago and I bought a bunch. I love to knit with it, so nice and stretchy and has lovely stitch definition. This is the second sweater I have knit of it, the first being a Maude Louise, which is fabulous, but still needs a dye job and buttons.
I think, after I finish this, I may splurge on some Malabrigo and make a little sweater for The Small One to wear next fall/winter. I also want to get a nice cotton to make her a summer dress, but I am not so up on the cotton yarns, so will have to do some research to figure out what I want to use.
The Small One is a funny little bug. She talks so much now. Okay, she has always been a little chatterbox.
I have no idea where she gets that.
Anyhoo, when she talks now, actual words and phrases come out of her mouth and they are by turns snarky and wise. Well, wise if you are nearly two. She thinks passing gas is utterly hysterical, and woe unto you if you do it near her and don't want anyone to know. She will tell on you. She tells on herself if she does it. Butt tootle is actually what she says and it is hysterical. See, just typing Butt Tootle makes me giggle like a little boy. Daddy tootle is what she says if he does it. Which is funny that she doesn't say, Daddy butt tootle. Just Daddy tootle. If you could here her tiny, wee disney voice say it, you would laugh too. I promise.
The Small One is finally getting into dollies, which is also a crack up. As I mentioned before, she was quite put out with me for working so much, and consequently acted up quite a bit. The result of this is time outs. She got put in time out so many times last week that she eventually just put herself in time out when she knew she had been naughty. (on a funny side note here, right before this I was on Ravelry, the happy knitting website, reading forums and whatnot, where people use the word knotty. I typed knotty instead of naughty in reference to The Small One.) So, Sunday, she was playing with one of her baby dolls and patting it's back and saying shhh, go night night, when all of a sudden she took dolly off of her shoulder looked at her very firmly, said TIME OUT, and parked her in the chair. I nearly died with laughter. I asked if Dolly was naughty and she very solemnly nodded yes.
The Small One, like all little folk, loves to be naked. Or naken, as she calls it. She has finally figured out how to get every single article of clothing off of her body, so we quite frequently find her playing in the nursery completely "naken". Oh, well. I just wish there was more fat on her little frame to keep her warm, as we keep the thermostat lowish in this house.
Her hair is getting quite long now, well the back is anyway. She still has a super mullet. My brother calls her Milly, which is short for Mullet Lilly. (My other brother calls her Lillypop because she is a stick with a big, round head. They are not known for their niceties, my brothers.) I like to put her hair in low pigtails sometimes. But only sometimes, because when I do it, she looks like she is three. Tiny three, but three nonetheless. Especially when she is wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Not a baby anymore, that one. She is a kid. Saddens me a wee bit, but she is just so funny and FULL of personality that I adore. I know she is spoiled (oops) but I love her big personality and her bossiness and her complete self possesion. She is an attitudal little girl, but I think it rocks. I am not into the retiring violet kind of girl. The blessed child is not afraid of anything either! I have friends who worry about her around our big dogs, but I don't. They knock her down all the time, but she just gives them a big shove and gets back up. It is hilarious, because they are rather bigger than she is.
Just to give you some perspective on her size. She is nearly 2 and weighs 20 lbs. My friend has a 9 month old child who weighs 24 lbs. She is of average height, just no fat on her wee bones. She is potty training again (let's hope it sticks this time) and when she is wearing her wee tiny skivs (that have to be custom made as they do not make underwear for bums that tiny) her pants won't stay up. Once she is potty trained for real, I am going to have to make a whole new set of pants for her. I can't buy any small enough. She can still wear a 12 month with diapers on, but they are way too short. She is a leggy kid, did not get that from me!
Well, I guess that will do for now.
I should probably go to bed.
Oh, one last thing...
If you visit my blog, even if I don't know you, won't you leave a comment? Unless you are going to be mean and nasty, in which case, go somewhere else.
I would like to post that there is good news going on, but really, I can't think of anything.
I just spent the past two weeks working 65-70 hours each week, trying to finish sample corrections and do the photo shoot for the catalogue. It was mind numbing and so very fatiguing. Really, really makes me wonder why on earth I decided to do this. The entire time it was going on, The Small One was very put out with me, and I can't say I blame her. Bless her little heart, she was bent at mamma for working so much and not paying enough attention to her. I worked at home part of the time, simply because I could not stand to be in my basement studio at the bridal shop any longer. Whilst I attempted to work at home, The Small One would walk up, give me that look, reach down and grab my thread and chuck it across the room. I think she may have wanted some attention. Eventually, I would give up and play with her, which of course, is what she was after. It did result, however, in my having to stay up VERY late to finish things after she had gone to bed. Really, I would rather play with her than spend 30 hours beading a dress I don't even like. But, I suppose we all do what we must...
In other not great news, we are having trouble on the health insurance front. I am uninsurable, Mike is uninsurable (it is none of your business why, so don't even ask), which means we can't get insurance for The Small One, either. We applied for CHIP, but apparently, even my paltry income is too much to qualify. Seriously, gov't aid is broken in this country. You have to be utterly destitute to qualify for anything, and once you reach that level, how in hell are you supposed to get out? No wonder people end up on welfare or gov't assistance forever. There aren't many other options. Ugh, I can't get started or I will end up soapboxing about it for pages and pages. Not a good option. Just makes me mad.
Okay, some good news here then, although it isn't anything important. I am nearly done with my Two-Toned Shrug from fitted knits. Except it isn't two-toned. Just one. Currently grey, but I will be dyeing it when I am finished. I haven't decided what color yet, though. I got some Jo-ann Sensations Kashmira for 90 cents a skein a while ago and I bought a bunch. I love to knit with it, so nice and stretchy and has lovely stitch definition. This is the second sweater I have knit of it, the first being a Maude Louise, which is fabulous, but still needs a dye job and buttons.
I think, after I finish this, I may splurge on some Malabrigo and make a little sweater for The Small One to wear next fall/winter. I also want to get a nice cotton to make her a summer dress, but I am not so up on the cotton yarns, so will have to do some research to figure out what I want to use.
The Small One is a funny little bug. She talks so much now. Okay, she has always been a little chatterbox.
I have no idea where she gets that.
Anyhoo, when she talks now, actual words and phrases come out of her mouth and they are by turns snarky and wise. Well, wise if you are nearly two. She thinks passing gas is utterly hysterical, and woe unto you if you do it near her and don't want anyone to know. She will tell on you. She tells on herself if she does it. Butt tootle is actually what she says and it is hysterical. See, just typing Butt Tootle makes me giggle like a little boy. Daddy tootle is what she says if he does it. Which is funny that she doesn't say, Daddy butt tootle. Just Daddy tootle. If you could here her tiny, wee disney voice say it, you would laugh too. I promise.
The Small One is finally getting into dollies, which is also a crack up. As I mentioned before, she was quite put out with me for working so much, and consequently acted up quite a bit. The result of this is time outs. She got put in time out so many times last week that she eventually just put herself in time out when she knew she had been naughty. (on a funny side note here, right before this I was on Ravelry, the happy knitting website, reading forums and whatnot, where people use the word knotty. I typed knotty instead of naughty in reference to The Small One.) So, Sunday, she was playing with one of her baby dolls and patting it's back and saying shhh, go night night, when all of a sudden she took dolly off of her shoulder looked at her very firmly, said TIME OUT, and parked her in the chair. I nearly died with laughter. I asked if Dolly was naughty and she very solemnly nodded yes.
The Small One, like all little folk, loves to be naked. Or naken, as she calls it. She has finally figured out how to get every single article of clothing off of her body, so we quite frequently find her playing in the nursery completely "naken". Oh, well. I just wish there was more fat on her little frame to keep her warm, as we keep the thermostat lowish in this house.
Her hair is getting quite long now, well the back is anyway. She still has a super mullet. My brother calls her Milly, which is short for Mullet Lilly. (My other brother calls her Lillypop because she is a stick with a big, round head. They are not known for their niceties, my brothers.) I like to put her hair in low pigtails sometimes. But only sometimes, because when I do it, she looks like she is three. Tiny three, but three nonetheless. Especially when she is wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Not a baby anymore, that one. She is a kid. Saddens me a wee bit, but she is just so funny and FULL of personality that I adore. I know she is spoiled (oops) but I love her big personality and her bossiness and her complete self possesion. She is an attitudal little girl, but I think it rocks. I am not into the retiring violet kind of girl. The blessed child is not afraid of anything either! I have friends who worry about her around our big dogs, but I don't. They knock her down all the time, but she just gives them a big shove and gets back up. It is hilarious, because they are rather bigger than she is.
Just to give you some perspective on her size. She is nearly 2 and weighs 20 lbs. My friend has a 9 month old child who weighs 24 lbs. She is of average height, just no fat on her wee bones. She is potty training again (let's hope it sticks this time) and when she is wearing her wee tiny skivs (that have to be custom made as they do not make underwear for bums that tiny) her pants won't stay up. Once she is potty trained for real, I am going to have to make a whole new set of pants for her. I can't buy any small enough. She can still wear a 12 month with diapers on, but they are way too short. She is a leggy kid, did not get that from me!
Well, I guess that will do for now.
I should probably go to bed.
Oh, one last thing...
If you visit my blog, even if I don't know you, won't you leave a comment? Unless you are going to be mean and nasty, in which case, go somewhere else.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Crazytown
It's where I live lately.
Things are nuts in this neck of the woods. I wanted to be a fashion designer. I didn't realize it would require as much work as it does...
My lovely co-designer and I decided to take matters into our own hands with regards deadlines for the Spring 2010 line, which is a pretty good sized line. There we were, happily jogging along at a nice pace, getting things done, working happily together on our own little time line on our own big wedding line.
When suddenly...
Things came to a screeching, grinding halt.
The samples from Fall 2009 came in and it was disastrous. I don't know what happened. One sample seemed as though they simply didn't read the notes, just looked at the picture. Another sample, the opposite, only read notes, but didn't look at the pictures. And some came in just fine. Obviously, more than one group of people does the patterning for the samples. The fabrics were wrong, the sleeves were wrong, trims were misinterpreted. What do we do? Photo shoot for the catalogue is coming soon!!!!!!
Fortunately, we had gotten things to the factory early enough that we (and by we, I mostly mean me) would be able to make corrections to the samples without to much trauma.
But then, it happened.
The Big Boss Man got it into his head that we should meet with a designer who works directly with our factory on the their own line. Get some tips from her on how to communicate. (I don't speak Chinese, nor does my co, nor does Big Boss Man. Said designer does. Seeing as how she is Chinese, that is to be expected.)
Now, here is the thing. Big Boss Man was right, meeting with Chinese Designer was a good move. We learned a lot about what information the Factory needs. Coincidentally enough, the information they need turns out to be the same information in the same format that I originally wanted to send them when I started working there a year ago. But Big Boss Man didn't think it was appropriate and wanted our stuff to look more "professional". Which it does. Look more professional, however, does not necessarily translate into is more professional. Because it isn't.
I have lots of experience making patterns. As a matter of fact, it is my specialty. I love it. Having done it for a number of years, and having worked with others who have done it for a number of years, I am pretty well versed in "what kind of information and in what format your average pattern maker needs." I mean I was one! That should qualify for something right? WRONG!!!!!
Big Boss Man is all about appearances, and to him, the format looks sloppy. I can understand. It kind of does. But, really, in the grand scheme of things, is that what matters? I mean, if you want to be serious about appearances, I think that having samples come back looking right is far more important than having info "looking" right. Especially when certain persons don't actually know what "right" is, having never done it themselves.
But, I digress.
So, the meeting with Chinese Designer was very useful, if only for the fact that she, being a real designer (as opposed to the fake kind, like me) made the same points I did, and Big Boss Man agreed with her. No, I did not bring up to him that I had already made those suggestions and gotten vetoed. It would have served no purpose. I know I was right, that is what matters. He is worse than I am about being convinced he was wrong.
But, that said, the meeting with Chinese Designer was very UNuseful because it meant I couldn't start on corrections on the samples until after we met with her, because Big Boss Man wanted her to see what a disaster they were.
So, meeting over, Co-designer and I start on the corrections. Mowing through them as fast as we can. My lovely mother is also doing a lot of them, as there is no way on this green earth I could finish them all. There are...I don't know...like 50 dresses? Co, though she is a super fab designer, is not a super fab stitcher and therefore was relegated to rebeading one dress while I dealt with the rest. That is right folks, I am that good.
In the meantime, due to the disaster that was Fall '09, Big Boss Man demanded that we put Spring '10 on hold for now so he (and we) could concentrate on getting Fall '09 ready for the shoot. I disagreed. The sketches were due and he had some decisions to make. Until those decisions were made, we couldn't go forward on the line. He didn't want to focus on that, he wanted Fall '09 taken care of. So...I caved.
BAD IDEA !
Let me reiterate.
HORRIBLY BAD IDEA!!!!!!!!
Want to know why?
Of course you do!
Photo shoot for Fall '09 is Tuesday and Wednesday. We will make the deadline by the skin of our teeth.
I just got an email today informing me that Spring '10 is due to China on Tuesday. That's right kids, the very same Tuesday as photo shoot.
I think my blood pressure went way up today.
Things are nuts in this neck of the woods. I wanted to be a fashion designer. I didn't realize it would require as much work as it does...
My lovely co-designer and I decided to take matters into our own hands with regards deadlines for the Spring 2010 line, which is a pretty good sized line. There we were, happily jogging along at a nice pace, getting things done, working happily together on our own little time line on our own big wedding line.
When suddenly...
Things came to a screeching, grinding halt.
The samples from Fall 2009 came in and it was disastrous. I don't know what happened. One sample seemed as though they simply didn't read the notes, just looked at the picture. Another sample, the opposite, only read notes, but didn't look at the pictures. And some came in just fine. Obviously, more than one group of people does the patterning for the samples. The fabrics were wrong, the sleeves were wrong, trims were misinterpreted. What do we do? Photo shoot for the catalogue is coming soon!!!!!!
Fortunately, we had gotten things to the factory early enough that we (and by we, I mostly mean me) would be able to make corrections to the samples without to much trauma.
But then, it happened.
The Big Boss Man got it into his head that we should meet with a designer who works directly with our factory on the their own line. Get some tips from her on how to communicate. (I don't speak Chinese, nor does my co, nor does Big Boss Man. Said designer does. Seeing as how she is Chinese, that is to be expected.)
Now, here is the thing. Big Boss Man was right, meeting with Chinese Designer was a good move. We learned a lot about what information the Factory needs. Coincidentally enough, the information they need turns out to be the same information in the same format that I originally wanted to send them when I started working there a year ago. But Big Boss Man didn't think it was appropriate and wanted our stuff to look more "professional". Which it does. Look more professional, however, does not necessarily translate into is more professional. Because it isn't.
I have lots of experience making patterns. As a matter of fact, it is my specialty. I love it. Having done it for a number of years, and having worked with others who have done it for a number of years, I am pretty well versed in "what kind of information and in what format your average pattern maker needs." I mean I was one! That should qualify for something right? WRONG!!!!!
Big Boss Man is all about appearances, and to him, the format looks sloppy. I can understand. It kind of does. But, really, in the grand scheme of things, is that what matters? I mean, if you want to be serious about appearances, I think that having samples come back looking right is far more important than having info "looking" right. Especially when certain persons don't actually know what "right" is, having never done it themselves.
But, I digress.
So, the meeting with Chinese Designer was very useful, if only for the fact that she, being a real designer (as opposed to the fake kind, like me) made the same points I did, and Big Boss Man agreed with her. No, I did not bring up to him that I had already made those suggestions and gotten vetoed. It would have served no purpose. I know I was right, that is what matters. He is worse than I am about being convinced he was wrong.
But, that said, the meeting with Chinese Designer was very UNuseful because it meant I couldn't start on corrections on the samples until after we met with her, because Big Boss Man wanted her to see what a disaster they were.
So, meeting over, Co-designer and I start on the corrections. Mowing through them as fast as we can. My lovely mother is also doing a lot of them, as there is no way on this green earth I could finish them all. There are...I don't know...like 50 dresses? Co, though she is a super fab designer, is not a super fab stitcher and therefore was relegated to rebeading one dress while I dealt with the rest. That is right folks, I am that good.
In the meantime, due to the disaster that was Fall '09, Big Boss Man demanded that we put Spring '10 on hold for now so he (and we) could concentrate on getting Fall '09 ready for the shoot. I disagreed. The sketches were due and he had some decisions to make. Until those decisions were made, we couldn't go forward on the line. He didn't want to focus on that, he wanted Fall '09 taken care of. So...I caved.
BAD IDEA !
Let me reiterate.
HORRIBLY BAD IDEA!!!!!!!!
Want to know why?
Of course you do!
Photo shoot for Fall '09 is Tuesday and Wednesday. We will make the deadline by the skin of our teeth.
I just got an email today informing me that Spring '10 is due to China on Tuesday. That's right kids, the very same Tuesday as photo shoot.
I think my blood pressure went way up today.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Jelly Boo
I left Mike home with The Small One today.
The Small One can get in big trouble.
Mike left her alone in the bedroom.
With a jar of vaseline.
This is the result.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Tag from Kaytee
Here are 25 random things about me.
1. I got married when I was 27.
2. I worked on The Light of the World show for the Olympics.
3. I have been inside the LDS Tabernacle Organ.
4. I used to have an all access pass to the underground tunnels at Temple Square.
5. I started my college career as a pre-med student.
6. I switched to fashion design, then to costume design my second semester.
7. I only have one child.
8. I learned to sew at the age of 3.
9. I design wedding and evening wear for a living.
10. I own a house that was built in the 1870's.
11. I have two large dogs (chocolate labs)
12. I knit as often as I can.
13. My daughter had meningitis and nearly died when she was 6 months old.
14. I plan to be a Certified Nurse Midwife after I am done having kids.
15. I love photography.
16. I used to speak French fluently.
17. I met my oldest friend in 1976.
18. We are still close friends.
19. In fact, she lives across the street from me.
20. Our kids are the same age.
21. I have 5 brothers and no sisters.
22. My mom lives next door to me.
23. I used to share an apartment complex with some of my brothers
24. I love Dr. Pepper.
25. I met my husband while working summer stock theatre
1. I got married when I was 27.
2. I worked on The Light of the World show for the Olympics.
3. I have been inside the LDS Tabernacle Organ.
4. I used to have an all access pass to the underground tunnels at Temple Square.
5. I started my college career as a pre-med student.
6. I switched to fashion design, then to costume design my second semester.
7. I only have one child.
8. I learned to sew at the age of 3.
9. I design wedding and evening wear for a living.
10. I own a house that was built in the 1870's.
11. I have two large dogs (chocolate labs)
12. I knit as often as I can.
13. My daughter had meningitis and nearly died when she was 6 months old.
14. I plan to be a Certified Nurse Midwife after I am done having kids.
15. I love photography.
16. I used to speak French fluently.
17. I met my oldest friend in 1976.
18. We are still close friends.
19. In fact, she lives across the street from me.
20. Our kids are the same age.
21. I have 5 brothers and no sisters.
22. My mom lives next door to me.
23. I used to share an apartment complex with some of my brothers
24. I love Dr. Pepper.
25. I met my husband while working summer stock theatre
Light?
I am looking for a light at the end of my tunnel.
I can't find it.
It has been the weekend from hell.
We were lambasted at church on Sunday by a neighbor whom I normally get along with very well. She brought up each and every thing we have done or they think we have done in the 4 years we have lived there. It was unpleasant to say the least. Many people in church saw it happen, which is rather embarrassing, and we got told by a member of the bishopric that it wasn't appropriate for church. Boy, we knew that!
The whole thing was precipitated by the fence we put up in the backyard...at their request. She just didn't like the type of fence we got. Which was dictated by our current financial situation. Yes, it's ugly, but it does the job for now. Goodness knows, since we share the property line, she could put up a fence she likes...
That whole incident just ruined our Sunday. In fact, I was so upset by it that I had to leave church so as not to cry in front of EVERYONE. (something I hate doing)
Because I was so upset by it, I was in a nasty mood the rest of the day, and consequently rude to my husband and The Small One. Not an excellent plan all around.
Today? Today, I have a migraine. From the stress, no doubt.
I can't find it.
It has been the weekend from hell.
We were lambasted at church on Sunday by a neighbor whom I normally get along with very well. She brought up each and every thing we have done or they think we have done in the 4 years we have lived there. It was unpleasant to say the least. Many people in church saw it happen, which is rather embarrassing, and we got told by a member of the bishopric that it wasn't appropriate for church. Boy, we knew that!
The whole thing was precipitated by the fence we put up in the backyard...at their request. She just didn't like the type of fence we got. Which was dictated by our current financial situation. Yes, it's ugly, but it does the job for now. Goodness knows, since we share the property line, she could put up a fence she likes...
That whole incident just ruined our Sunday. In fact, I was so upset by it that I had to leave church so as not to cry in front of EVERYONE. (something I hate doing)
Because I was so upset by it, I was in a nasty mood the rest of the day, and consequently rude to my husband and The Small One. Not an excellent plan all around.
Today? Today, I have a migraine. From the stress, no doubt.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Monday
I went to St. George this past weekend, where it was sunny and deliciously warm.
I am now back in Utah Valley, where it isn't.
It is the very Mondayest of Mondays.
I am now back in Utah Valley, where it isn't.
It is the very Mondayest of Mondays.
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