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I never really noticed before, but none of the books pictured here on my blog have titles on the spine.  Hmmph.  Now that I have noticed it kind of bugs me.  Too bad I can't name them myself.  "The Mysterious Case of the Missing Trousers"  "Women Who Love Cheese Too Much"  "A Fine and Subtle Stench"  "Why Football is for Sissies"  "My Life as a Hoochie Mamma"  etc...

Madison Avenue Floral and Pegasus Gallery

I have opened my own flower shop.  I am woman, hear me roar!!! Lol.  My friend Michelle and I used to work at the same florist and we've been talking for years about either buying out our old boss or opening a place of our own.  When I found this kiosk for rent we knew it was time.  It's located right outside a Starbucks, so there's more foot traffic here than anywhere else in the city.  Also, the next nearest florist is miles away.  There are only 3 other florists in town, none in the southern end of town or the downtown area, which is where we are situated.  We've been open for a month now and things are going well.  We started out slow, but it's picking up. And most importantly, we love what we do :)  Our very basic website, designed by yours truly: www.madisonavenuefloral.com

 Here is our lovely kiosk :)

One of the perks of this location is that everyone else in the building is super nice and supportive.  The building was originally a JC Penny's, but the current owners have turned it into a hive of small retail spaces.  It's been really fun meeting new people and getting outside my introverted shell.  You'd think as a bus driver I would have to be open and friendly but it's actually made me so cynical and antisocial.  It's really nice to be able to be more trusting and open, to let people in a little more than is my wont.  The folks at Einstein Bagels, right next to our kiosk, have been particularly friendly and accepting. 

In other news, I have been invited to exhibit my book art at Pegasus Gallery over the holidays :)  Woo hoo!!  I'm so officially excited!  It's great to have someone seek me out and say, 'hey I love your stuff and I think a lot of other people will too.  Come sell at my gallery.' I can't wait to see it on display and to see how the public reacts.  It would be so cool if I actually made some money from this ridiculous obsession.  I dropped off a few book sculptures at the gallery last week, just 45, not too many... :D  I think the exhibit starts November 1st.

Happy 3rd

I wonder if they celebrate birthdays on the other side of the veil, you know, like their last day here is their first day there. If so, Happy Birthday Charlie. Today is the 3rd anniversary of your departure from us and your entry to the other side. I hope things are going well for you there.

Nye Beach

I had a very relaxing afternoon at the coast yesterday. The weather was perfect. Sunset was gorgeous. I needed that.

Ho Ho Ho!

When we were kids my brothers and I all had Santa mugs. I remember drinking milk out of mine and dunking cookies in it. I liked it, even though none of us ever really believed in Santa as kids, and as an adult I think Santa competes with Jesus for attention at Christmas. This year I decided to make new Santa mugs for all of us as a nostalgic reminder of our childhood Christmases. I started painting them traditionally but didn't get any farther than red hats before I got bored. Here is the result of my boredom.


I laughed myself silly over these. I love them, particularly the zombie Santa. I know, I'm sick. I don't know why I find the idea so appealing and humorous. Lucky for me, the recipients also liked them :D

Alpine Holiday Festival

Yesterday I participated in my first ever art/craft fair. I was very nervous about whether I would have enough inventory to fill a whole booth, and whether my first time amateur greenness would look chintzy next to the seasoned veterans of the craft fair circuit. I need not have worried. I totally over-prepared. This is my booth:

I really like how it turned out. I think it's homey and cozy and inviting. Our neighbor vendors were all so friendly and helpful. One of them loaned us an extra table and one offered some peg board to help with the display which we didn't end up using, but the offer was much appreciated.

So many people as they walked by said they had never seen anything like my book art and how cool and impressive and intriguing it was. Equal numbers of people remembered seeing old Reader's Digests folded into angels or Santas or Christmas trees.

My friend Coral came with me for moral support. She also had a few books to sell of her own. We did all right. I figure we about broke even, after the booth rental fee and the gas to get there and the supplies and all. Not to mention the money I spent at other vendors' booths ;) It was fun. I'd totally do it again.

When we arrived in the morning to finish setting up there was a diminutive visitor to our booth. I know the photo is blurry and horrible, but we considered it a sign of good luck that the ladybug decided to grace us with her presence. We liberated her from the confines of the building after quickly taking her portrait :)

News

Firstly, This weekend I've been asked to participate in a holiday art/craft fair. Woo hoo! I've never done a fair before. I'm nervous about the booth setup. I don't want it to look lame and amateurish. But I'm excited. Coral and Abby are coming with me, so even if we don't sell anything we'll still have fun girly time :)

Secondly, I'm being sued. Remember that ice storm accident I had almost two years ago? Apparently one of the children in the suburban I slid into was injured and the lovely billion dollar multinational corporation for whom I work hasn't paid her medical expenses. Her parents are suing the company... and me... for negligence to the tune of $104,5oo, or something like that. The $4,500 is the medical bill, the $100,000 is for pain and suffering. Every time I try to talk to my boss about it he says, "Don't worry about it. The company will take care of it." But he gives me nothing tangible to make me believe it's true. Their idea of "taking care of it" might be hanging me out to dry. Anyway, Monday is the deadline for the company to respond, so one way or another I suppose I'll know soon.

Thirdly, I got a new calling at church. They released me from teaching Relief Society :( and called me to teach the sunbeams in Primary. Gaaah! I haven't been in Primary since I was 12, and I know next to nothing about 4 year olds. Thank heaven it's team teaching because I think the little rug rats would eat me alive if I had to be in there alone with them. I'm sure it will be good for me, I'm sure I'll learn a lot, and hopefully I won't warp the little ones too severely.