My Dear Husband (DH) and I seldom shop. We are just not very interested in fashion or crowds or nicknacks. We go to the grocery store weekly and buy clothing as needed, but we just don't go out very often to shop. When we do find things we like, we tend to buy enough to last for a long time. Maybe it will be a year or two before we shop again for that item.
Needless to say, our clothing is worn repeatedly until it is almost falling apart. I had noticed the DH was looking a bit ragged at the hems of his pants and realized that I had never hemmed those pants. After looking at several of his pants, I discovered that most of his pants were in good shape, except the part that drags on the ground under his shoes. So I decided to Hem them. I cut off the old stuff and made new hems.
This activity was inspired by the purchase of several new sewing devices. One was a spiffy new sewing machine with computerized parts. And the second was a top of the line Serger machine. All of these were meant to take up space and make sewing more enjoyable. AND they did.
But while I was busy sewing new hems for the old pants, I realized that about 1/2 of the old pants were worn beyond repair. I was able to save about 4 pair of pants but 6 pair had to go. These I replaced with new pants. All of the new pants needed to be hemmed. The Skinny jeans were hemmed on the wonderful new, outrageously expensive Serger machine. It was fast and powerful and the job was done in a flash (2 days). The other pants required a slightly different approach. First cut off the excess, serger the edge, and perform the blind hem on the leg.
Now the wonderful computerized sewing machine had all the stuff I needed, but gray thread. So I finished the skinny jeans, and the cutting and finishing of the edges in black. But the need for Gray Thread slowed down the rest of the work. I managed to get that on a visit to the sewing store. Then I ran away for a four day vacation. I came home and needed to prepare for Christmas eve. And of course, I was not going to work on Christmas Day. That meant that this project was going to get done before New Year, but after Christmas.
Why does it take me so long to get these tasks done? Because there are so many competing activities and only so much time and energy. I have now managed to make one quilt on the new computerized sewing machine and hem 14 pairs of pants on the wildly expensive serger. I have made one or two other things on the serger, but hemming seems to be the most important thing it can do.
And you might think that I am done, but no. I have two pair of pants for myself to serger hem. I have already serger hemmed 4 pair for myself this year. In all, I will have 16 pair of pants hemmed using the serger as at least part of the hem process.
In my little mind, this tool was way worth the outrageous price. It got me excited about taking classes and learning new techniques. I have spent hours (and dollars) getting materials and parts so that I can stay in my room and play all day every day.
Now I can grow my own cotton, spin it into yarn, weave it into cloth, sew it into clothing and adorn it with various stitch options. Aside from going to the grocery store, I may never need to shop again, except for thread. Now if I get solar power and go off the grid, I can be .... no, that is just too much out of the loop. I can still pay for electricity and gas. I am not ready to go live in a cave with a goat.
Saturday, December 26, 2015
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Eduard's Father's Mother's cookies
I have a recipe for a spice cookie that is downright Middle Eastern. The types of spices used are almost all imported from the Asian area, yet it claims to be European in origin. So let me show you this marvelous cookie.
In the USA it is called a cookie. In Europe it might be a biscuit. The German name is Mandelschnitzel- or Almond shingles/slices. This cookie contains cardamom from India, Cinnamon from Ceylon, Mace which is the out husk of nutmeg (I am not sure of the origin) and Allspice which is curiously from North America. I suspect the original recipe used clove but I am not sure. There is a lot of sugar, some eggs and wheat flour- fine white wheat flour.
These cookies have no extra oil in them except what is in the egg yolk. They have almonds and walnuts which supply nut oils. In Europe, almost all the ingredients would be imported.
This recipe came to us from Eduard's side of the family. His grandparents traveled in Saudi Arabia extensively and other parts of the middle east. They were exposed to all types of cooking, baking and the smells of the markets. This recipe alone has survived. I am not certain if this recipe was gathered from the travels or handed down from generations that are even farther back in time.
Eduard's family originated somewhere near France. There is a bit of Ethnic middle Europe look to the family photos. As some point the family ancestors left the France area and migrated into Germany, Switzerland, and Denmark. Then they ended up in the United States. Since I can only determine a little of the past migratory route, I know that for a period of time, the grandparents were in Montana, then Colorado. And eventually, Eduard's father came to Southern California.
This recipe became a favorite of Eduard's mother and she made it for the holiday season. It became a favorite of Eduard, and now I make it for the holiday season.
Here is the recipe:
2 cups of sugar
2 cups of flour (all purpose or cake flour)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 pound ground walnuts
1/4 pound ground almonds
2 tablespoons freshly ground cardamom
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Mace
1/2 teaspoon Allspice
4 eggs separated
Set oven for 350f (usa not metric). Beat egg whites until stiff but not dry. Add sugar and beat until light peaks form. Add egg yolk, spices, flour, and baking powder. Stir to incorporate. Then add nuts all at once and stir to incorporate. Don't beat much as you don't want to develop the gluten in the flour.
The original recipe required you to form the cookies and rest them overnight on the cookie sheet. Dust with flour, turn them over, and bake. I found this to be too much work. So I use a scoop or spoon and make 1 inch balls (12 to a cookie sheet) which I place on a parchment paper covered cookie sheet. Then flatten the balls with a damp finger or spoon. Bake them immediately at 350f for 12 minutes or until just starting to turn golden brown on the edges. I cannot tell any taste or texture difference between the long rest method and the spoon scoop method. I suspect there were other reasons for this baking method which were not explained along the way.
This recipe will make 4 dozen (48) good size cookies, but you can make them smaller and bake them 1 minute less.
In our house, I make this recipe several times because Eduard likes to give them away to friends and family. And I have to admit they are kind of addictive. The spices go well with hot tea late at night. He likes his with coffee. The cardamom flavor and smell lingers in your nose and mouth for a long time. These cookies would store well for a long time in an air tight container, except that Eduard usually finishes them before they have much time in the jar.
The History of Food is our current topic of study during our evening hours. We have lectures and books to help us understand where spices originated, how past generations ate and prepared foods, and how time influenced eating habits. These cookies are definitely indulgences at any time in history except now, however, they may have originated before Victorian times. This is because the early use of sugar was in preparation of meats and sauces. The push to use sugar only for sweet dessert foods came at a later time in history (around 1600) when the discovery of the new world led to more sugar cane production. The use of Allspice, a new world spice, is also an indication that this particular recipe has been adapted to more recent times.
So it is December and I am baking cookies. The house smell exotic and fragrant with spices. I am searching for my tea stash. Happy Holidays.
In the USA it is called a cookie. In Europe it might be a biscuit. The German name is Mandelschnitzel- or Almond shingles/slices. This cookie contains cardamom from India, Cinnamon from Ceylon, Mace which is the out husk of nutmeg (I am not sure of the origin) and Allspice which is curiously from North America. I suspect the original recipe used clove but I am not sure. There is a lot of sugar, some eggs and wheat flour- fine white wheat flour.
These cookies have no extra oil in them except what is in the egg yolk. They have almonds and walnuts which supply nut oils. In Europe, almost all the ingredients would be imported.
This recipe came to us from Eduard's side of the family. His grandparents traveled in Saudi Arabia extensively and other parts of the middle east. They were exposed to all types of cooking, baking and the smells of the markets. This recipe alone has survived. I am not certain if this recipe was gathered from the travels or handed down from generations that are even farther back in time.
Eduard's family originated somewhere near France. There is a bit of Ethnic middle Europe look to the family photos. As some point the family ancestors left the France area and migrated into Germany, Switzerland, and Denmark. Then they ended up in the United States. Since I can only determine a little of the past migratory route, I know that for a period of time, the grandparents were in Montana, then Colorado. And eventually, Eduard's father came to Southern California.
This recipe became a favorite of Eduard's mother and she made it for the holiday season. It became a favorite of Eduard, and now I make it for the holiday season.
Here is the recipe:
2 cups of sugar
2 cups of flour (all purpose or cake flour)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 pound ground walnuts
1/4 pound ground almonds
2 tablespoons freshly ground cardamom
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon Mace
1/2 teaspoon Allspice
4 eggs separated
Set oven for 350f (usa not metric). Beat egg whites until stiff but not dry. Add sugar and beat until light peaks form. Add egg yolk, spices, flour, and baking powder. Stir to incorporate. Then add nuts all at once and stir to incorporate. Don't beat much as you don't want to develop the gluten in the flour.
The original recipe required you to form the cookies and rest them overnight on the cookie sheet. Dust with flour, turn them over, and bake. I found this to be too much work. So I use a scoop or spoon and make 1 inch balls (12 to a cookie sheet) which I place on a parchment paper covered cookie sheet. Then flatten the balls with a damp finger or spoon. Bake them immediately at 350f for 12 minutes or until just starting to turn golden brown on the edges. I cannot tell any taste or texture difference between the long rest method and the spoon scoop method. I suspect there were other reasons for this baking method which were not explained along the way.
This recipe will make 4 dozen (48) good size cookies, but you can make them smaller and bake them 1 minute less.
In our house, I make this recipe several times because Eduard likes to give them away to friends and family. And I have to admit they are kind of addictive. The spices go well with hot tea late at night. He likes his with coffee. The cardamom flavor and smell lingers in your nose and mouth for a long time. These cookies would store well for a long time in an air tight container, except that Eduard usually finishes them before they have much time in the jar.
The History of Food is our current topic of study during our evening hours. We have lectures and books to help us understand where spices originated, how past generations ate and prepared foods, and how time influenced eating habits. These cookies are definitely indulgences at any time in history except now, however, they may have originated before Victorian times. This is because the early use of sugar was in preparation of meats and sauces. The push to use sugar only for sweet dessert foods came at a later time in history (around 1600) when the discovery of the new world led to more sugar cane production. The use of Allspice, a new world spice, is also an indication that this particular recipe has been adapted to more recent times.
So it is December and I am baking cookies. The house smell exotic and fragrant with spices. I am searching for my tea stash. Happy Holidays.
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Adventures in Pumpkinland
Last September, my sweet heart and I traveled to San Jose. On the drive home we explored garlic stands, artichokes and finally pumpkins. We indulged in 3 great looking squash(es?). After returning home, we admired out haul. We took pictures. I will post one at the end of this.
I love to make home made pumpkin puree for soups, breads and pies. Pumpkin can be in many different food creations. But I am pretty picky about texture and taste. Not just any old pumpkin will do.
My normal blend of squash uses Kabocha, a Japanese type pumpkin blended with a more traditional pie pumpkin. I like the sweetness and smooth texture of Kabocha, but it is a bit dry. Pie pumpkin is a bit grainy and wet. Together they make the best of both worlds.
The first pumpkin was very sweet, kind of beige looking and not too big, with a texture close to regular pumpkin. The second that I cooked was gray green and large. It was a bit like the blend I like to make- Kabocha and pumpkin together. The third one got to sit on the table until after Halloween because it was just so darned orange and squashy.
After cooking two Kabocha and two big pumpkins, I needed some time off from scooping. The freezer was full and the pumpkin looked so pretty. That should have been a big orange flag. It looked to pretty to be true. It was called a Cinderella Pumpkin, or Fairytale pumpkin. These also come in white, but I got the reddish orange one. Trouble.
About two weeks after Halloween, I notices a gray spot on the pumpkin. Yikes! It was starting to rot. So I scheduled time to cook it quickly. I should not have bothered. After cooking the thing, it released a massive amount of water/juice. It just disintegrated in the pan. But I went ahead and scooped it out to see what it would do. It kept disintegrating into water and mush. So I tasted some. Yech. Bitter and bland, very orange and watery, kind of slippery but not quite slimy. This was the worst pumpkin I have ever seen cooked or tasted. As it sat in the bowl it continued to release water.
I hate to go to the trouble of baking it and cleaning it, just to toss it out, but this bowl of yech is going to the compost, asap.
And then, I get to clean up the dishes. Oye! what a wasted morning.
Fortunately for my friends and fellow foodies, I have lots of good pumpkin pulp in the freezer waiting for me to make pies and such.
I love to make home made pumpkin puree for soups, breads and pies. Pumpkin can be in many different food creations. But I am pretty picky about texture and taste. Not just any old pumpkin will do.
My normal blend of squash uses Kabocha, a Japanese type pumpkin blended with a more traditional pie pumpkin. I like the sweetness and smooth texture of Kabocha, but it is a bit dry. Pie pumpkin is a bit grainy and wet. Together they make the best of both worlds.
The first pumpkin was very sweet, kind of beige looking and not too big, with a texture close to regular pumpkin. The second that I cooked was gray green and large. It was a bit like the blend I like to make- Kabocha and pumpkin together. The third one got to sit on the table until after Halloween because it was just so darned orange and squashy.
After cooking two Kabocha and two big pumpkins, I needed some time off from scooping. The freezer was full and the pumpkin looked so pretty. That should have been a big orange flag. It looked to pretty to be true. It was called a Cinderella Pumpkin, or Fairytale pumpkin. These also come in white, but I got the reddish orange one. Trouble.
About two weeks after Halloween, I notices a gray spot on the pumpkin. Yikes! It was starting to rot. So I scheduled time to cook it quickly. I should not have bothered. After cooking the thing, it released a massive amount of water/juice. It just disintegrated in the pan. But I went ahead and scooped it out to see what it would do. It kept disintegrating into water and mush. So I tasted some. Yech. Bitter and bland, very orange and watery, kind of slippery but not quite slimy. This was the worst pumpkin I have ever seen cooked or tasted. As it sat in the bowl it continued to release water.
I hate to go to the trouble of baking it and cleaning it, just to toss it out, but this bowl of yech is going to the compost, asap.
And then, I get to clean up the dishes. Oye! what a wasted morning.
Fortunately for my friends and fellow foodies, I have lots of good pumpkin pulp in the freezer waiting for me to make pies and such.
Monday, October 5, 2015
Income Tax
Some people think the tax deadline is April 15. With extensions, it seems to mean June but really means October 15. That is the drop dead deadline. Well, not really. Actually, if the government owes you money, you can file it even later. And if you owe them money you can pay a penalty and interest when you eventually file. Every year, the weight of taxes hangs over our heads until we file and get it over with. It is a complicated matter full of receipts and calculations and percentages.
During the year, I have a box. All receipts go into the box. At the end of the year (theoretically) the box is organized and the year is separated out by type of bill, etc, in monthly order and misc. useless stuff is tossed. This is theoretical because it doesn't necessarily happen in that much of an organized way.
I start with a separate check register for each year. Tax deductible items are circled in the book to remind me to look at them- car registrations, medical bill payments, Turbo tax purchase, whatever may be a deductible item. Dec 31, the register is dumped into the box with everything else and a new one is started. This has been the best plan so far.
During the next couple of months, all the various 1099's and other documents arrive so that we can actually prove our income and expenses. These go into the separate tax folder. My husband thought of this part.
Usually, around the end of March , we decide to file an extension. It requires us to do some preliminary work on the taxes to see if we have paid enough. We almost always pay way too much, but you have to do this anyway. After the extension is filed, we congratulate ourselves on getting this far and try to find time to sort the box.
You may have noticed that it is now April and there are 4 months of receipts stacked on the old receipts. This makes the job more complicated. We should have a second box, but that would be way too organized for us.
In June, we start to point fingers at each other about who will do what when and by the end of July we have about 1/2 of the taxes done. But it is too hot to sit on the floor and sort the new year receipts from the last year receipts. August the pressure is on. September, sleepless nights from heat and worry about taxes.
Finally, the need overcomes the lethargy, and I sort the box. The first half of the tax prep is already entered and I am the only part letting down the team. Papers scattered over the floor, fan on, stapler in hand- I am done in 3 hours. Actually, I am done sorting, but still need to enter the information on the tax program. Another 2 hours.
This year, we were done before the drop deadline. Not by much, but better than last year. I also spent time organizing this years documents before putting them back into the box. This will make January easier. And I have resolved to get a second box so that there is only one year at a time in the box.
Just so you know, I have been doing this for 40 years. I am not a tax newby. I am just not very organized at home.
During the year, I have a box. All receipts go into the box. At the end of the year (theoretically) the box is organized and the year is separated out by type of bill, etc, in monthly order and misc. useless stuff is tossed. This is theoretical because it doesn't necessarily happen in that much of an organized way.
I start with a separate check register for each year. Tax deductible items are circled in the book to remind me to look at them- car registrations, medical bill payments, Turbo tax purchase, whatever may be a deductible item. Dec 31, the register is dumped into the box with everything else and a new one is started. This has been the best plan so far.
During the next couple of months, all the various 1099's and other documents arrive so that we can actually prove our income and expenses. These go into the separate tax folder. My husband thought of this part.
Usually, around the end of March , we decide to file an extension. It requires us to do some preliminary work on the taxes to see if we have paid enough. We almost always pay way too much, but you have to do this anyway. After the extension is filed, we congratulate ourselves on getting this far and try to find time to sort the box.
You may have noticed that it is now April and there are 4 months of receipts stacked on the old receipts. This makes the job more complicated. We should have a second box, but that would be way too organized for us.
In June, we start to point fingers at each other about who will do what when and by the end of July we have about 1/2 of the taxes done. But it is too hot to sit on the floor and sort the new year receipts from the last year receipts. August the pressure is on. September, sleepless nights from heat and worry about taxes.
Finally, the need overcomes the lethargy, and I sort the box. The first half of the tax prep is already entered and I am the only part letting down the team. Papers scattered over the floor, fan on, stapler in hand- I am done in 3 hours. Actually, I am done sorting, but still need to enter the information on the tax program. Another 2 hours.
This year, we were done before the drop deadline. Not by much, but better than last year. I also spent time organizing this years documents before putting them back into the box. This will make January easier. And I have resolved to get a second box so that there is only one year at a time in the box.
Just so you know, I have been doing this for 40 years. I am not a tax newby. I am just not very organized at home.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
The New Year
All over the world, the new year starts at different times. January 1 is just an arbitrary moment on a calendar. Oct. 1 or Sept 4, or a certain phase of the moon are just as reasonable as any other moment. So I have made in my life a time when the New year starts- Autumnal Equinox. At this time I resolve to focus on my own needs more than those of others. I pay more attention to my exercise and health needs, diet and energy. I also try to get more of my own projects done and work on my creative endeavors.
In this last 12 month cycle, my father slipped into a nursing facility and later died in January. My mom decided to move to a place near her "friends" which made it more difficult for me to help her, so I stopped helping. I got lots of work done on the house but it is not finished. And I have learned a great deal about sewing equipment and weaving.
I have also had some disappointments and some great successes. My son and Siqi his girlfriend came to visit and they became engaged. My children came to vacation with me in Alaska. We had a wonderful time together. And other family members continue to act as they have in the past, so I really should not be surprised. Yet for some reason, continuing in stupid behavior is really something I can't understand. Even when I do it myself.
I have resolved for this year, to focus more on myself and to try to be less of a nitwit. I want to make smarted decisions and be less emotional. I want to say goodbye to really annoying people. And I want to embrace the more balanced and functional side.
Be strong, I say to myself. You can do this. Make change you want to see in the world in yourself first.
I have finished Eduard's blanket. Now I want to finish mine. Finding the time to get all my stuff done so that I can actually finish something seems to elude me. But I am going to do this and make a path to the garden, to the shed, to the wooly room, and through the garage.
I need to sell some furniture and spinning wheels, and maybe a loom or two. It is time for some more stuff to go out.
And more peace to come in.
Peace be with you, as well.
In this last 12 month cycle, my father slipped into a nursing facility and later died in January. My mom decided to move to a place near her "friends" which made it more difficult for me to help her, so I stopped helping. I got lots of work done on the house but it is not finished. And I have learned a great deal about sewing equipment and weaving.
I have also had some disappointments and some great successes. My son and Siqi his girlfriend came to visit and they became engaged. My children came to vacation with me in Alaska. We had a wonderful time together. And other family members continue to act as they have in the past, so I really should not be surprised. Yet for some reason, continuing in stupid behavior is really something I can't understand. Even when I do it myself.
I have resolved for this year, to focus more on myself and to try to be less of a nitwit. I want to make smarted decisions and be less emotional. I want to say goodbye to really annoying people. And I want to embrace the more balanced and functional side.
Be strong, I say to myself. You can do this. Make change you want to see in the world in yourself first.
I have finished Eduard's blanket. Now I want to finish mine. Finding the time to get all my stuff done so that I can actually finish something seems to elude me. But I am going to do this and make a path to the garden, to the shed, to the wooly room, and through the garage.
I need to sell some furniture and spinning wheels, and maybe a loom or two. It is time for some more stuff to go out.
And more peace to come in.
Peace be with you, as well.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
My Little Heartbeats
My summers seem to be really full of activities and work. We just finished spending 2 weeks helping the City of Encinitas and the performers of my favorite concert festival- Ipalpiti (heartbeats).
It started with some small issues on the Ipalpiti web site where there was a disconnect with the Encinitas Arts web site. After some poking and prodding, we were able to buy tickets to all the events. Then a call went out to help get the musicians from the airports to the Encinitas location. One was coming into LAX (Los Angeles) and the rest into SAN (San Diego) on the same day. I drove to LAX and back while Eduard drove to SAN twice in one day. But it does not stop there. After getting to LAX, my musician's luggage was vacationing in London. It had been wandering around for 4 days and finally decided to head to LAX. Except the musician was headed to SAN Diego by car with me. After much confusion, the airline agreed to forward the luggage to SAN. We drove for 3 1/2 hours in slow traffic and got to Encinitas safely. I then went with Eduard to the SAN airport to get the last musician at 11pm. Her luggage was with her so there was no drama. At 1 am we rolled into bed. It was a very long day.
Then the call went out, that six more musicians needed rides from SAN in the following week. I was again on duty. There were some problems with overlapping flights and one of the musicians had a different driver.
We did have some lovely concerts before the next driving assignment so I was busy being lulled and wooed by violins and cellos. Eduard was making home roasted coffee in the mornings and spoiling our little heartbeats. And finally, the lost luggage from LAX showed up in SAN.
My various SAN runs kept me very busy and I was meeting some lovely people. We had made plans to host 2 musicians to Greek dinner and another hostess joined up with us for a lively, chatty and tasty evening. Then more wonderful music. My last airport run was on a Thursday in the late afternoon. Bad traffic down and back, but he was at the hotel by 8:30pm.
We had a fabulous dinner with 5 wonderful musicians and some Mariachis on Friday night. There was a grand concert on Saturday. And they all left for Los Angeles on Sunday. Mixed in with the music was a sick musician and a run to the Doctor. There was the OTHER LOST LUGGAGE from Luthansa Airline which finally showed up 6 days out and after a 4 hour shopping trip with the girls. Poor Eduard. He got to hold the clothes while I went to the airport in rush hour.
When it was over all the luggage was accounted for, the ear was feeling better, the heat was sticky and the last concert got rained into the gymnasium. Dinners were fun, people were happy, and E and I were really tired.
I am packing now. I have a trip to Alaska in a short time. The fun never stops in the summer.
It started with some small issues on the Ipalpiti web site where there was a disconnect with the Encinitas Arts web site. After some poking and prodding, we were able to buy tickets to all the events. Then a call went out to help get the musicians from the airports to the Encinitas location. One was coming into LAX (Los Angeles) and the rest into SAN (San Diego) on the same day. I drove to LAX and back while Eduard drove to SAN twice in one day. But it does not stop there. After getting to LAX, my musician's luggage was vacationing in London. It had been wandering around for 4 days and finally decided to head to LAX. Except the musician was headed to SAN Diego by car with me. After much confusion, the airline agreed to forward the luggage to SAN. We drove for 3 1/2 hours in slow traffic and got to Encinitas safely. I then went with Eduard to the SAN airport to get the last musician at 11pm. Her luggage was with her so there was no drama. At 1 am we rolled into bed. It was a very long day.
Then the call went out, that six more musicians needed rides from SAN in the following week. I was again on duty. There were some problems with overlapping flights and one of the musicians had a different driver.
We did have some lovely concerts before the next driving assignment so I was busy being lulled and wooed by violins and cellos. Eduard was making home roasted coffee in the mornings and spoiling our little heartbeats. And finally, the lost luggage from LAX showed up in SAN.
My various SAN runs kept me very busy and I was meeting some lovely people. We had made plans to host 2 musicians to Greek dinner and another hostess joined up with us for a lively, chatty and tasty evening. Then more wonderful music. My last airport run was on a Thursday in the late afternoon. Bad traffic down and back, but he was at the hotel by 8:30pm.
We had a fabulous dinner with 5 wonderful musicians and some Mariachis on Friday night. There was a grand concert on Saturday. And they all left for Los Angeles on Sunday. Mixed in with the music was a sick musician and a run to the Doctor. There was the OTHER LOST LUGGAGE from Luthansa Airline which finally showed up 6 days out and after a 4 hour shopping trip with the girls. Poor Eduard. He got to hold the clothes while I went to the airport in rush hour.
When it was over all the luggage was accounted for, the ear was feeling better, the heat was sticky and the last concert got rained into the gymnasium. Dinners were fun, people were happy, and E and I were really tired.
I am packing now. I have a trip to Alaska in a short time. The fun never stops in the summer.
Monday, June 22, 2015
A Blog is Brewing
I have just spent 4 days working my little feet off at Black Sheep Gathering 2015. I do this every year. This is the first year that I flew up.
I got up at 3:30am, dressed, final packing and into the car by 4am to pick up flight partner. TSA at 5:30 for a 6:45 flight. You have to be there at least 30 minutes before the flight and 45 minutes before if you want your baggage to go, too. We got there early enough.
Flight to Oakland, change planes, stand in line, on to Portland. We got there about 11:15a.
I didn't realize that it would take an hour to check out the car. I suppose that it matters that the office to check out people had only one person and two shuttles to take you to the car area- 15 minute drive. I will remember this for the future- Thrifty is cheaper because no one works there.
The Southwest flight was good. A bit more leg room and seat room than the others and more baggage allowed, but flying is still difficult. Dry air, lots of sitting, cramped arms, exit shuffle. I am tired before I even get there.
So after getting the car, we drove to Eugene, which is supposed to take 2 hours. It is now 12:30p and we have had no breakfast or lunch. We decide to stop partway down and it takes us 10 minutes to find the Olive Garden after leaving the freeway. Signage fail. This is why McD is so popular. Tall signs. Easy to find. After an hour lunch, we again hit the road. Traffic in Portland area is not like L.A. or S.D. Thursday at 2pm we had slinky stop and go traffic for no reason what so ever. When it moved, it was 60 in a 65 zone and 50 at other times, with 80 mph angry drivers trying to zigzag down the road. We got to Eugene at 3:15, just a bit rattled and really tired.
I checked into the sale area to start work at 4pm after dropping stuff at the hotel room. Mags was a champion and helped us.
The venue was all new and messed up so I was on the fly the whole time but we made a plan within 15 minutes and we were off and running. We checked in fleeces until 8pm, then moved all the tables into the secure room. We moved heavy tables with fleeces piled on with no men to help.
RANT 1- where is that famous upper body strength when you need it? Where's the beef? Yo! Guys! Man up and give the girls some help. I will bring beer if it helps.
We were in bed by 9p after a light dinner.
Thursday- long, challenging, unrewarding, at the same time, valuable. It was just the beginning of the Wool Show mania. Stay tuned for Friday.
I got up at 3:30am, dressed, final packing and into the car by 4am to pick up flight partner. TSA at 5:30 for a 6:45 flight. You have to be there at least 30 minutes before the flight and 45 minutes before if you want your baggage to go, too. We got there early enough.
Flight to Oakland, change planes, stand in line, on to Portland. We got there about 11:15a.
I didn't realize that it would take an hour to check out the car. I suppose that it matters that the office to check out people had only one person and two shuttles to take you to the car area- 15 minute drive. I will remember this for the future- Thrifty is cheaper because no one works there.
The Southwest flight was good. A bit more leg room and seat room than the others and more baggage allowed, but flying is still difficult. Dry air, lots of sitting, cramped arms, exit shuffle. I am tired before I even get there.
So after getting the car, we drove to Eugene, which is supposed to take 2 hours. It is now 12:30p and we have had no breakfast or lunch. We decide to stop partway down and it takes us 10 minutes to find the Olive Garden after leaving the freeway. Signage fail. This is why McD is so popular. Tall signs. Easy to find. After an hour lunch, we again hit the road. Traffic in Portland area is not like L.A. or S.D. Thursday at 2pm we had slinky stop and go traffic for no reason what so ever. When it moved, it was 60 in a 65 zone and 50 at other times, with 80 mph angry drivers trying to zigzag down the road. We got to Eugene at 3:15, just a bit rattled and really tired.
I checked into the sale area to start work at 4pm after dropping stuff at the hotel room. Mags was a champion and helped us.
The venue was all new and messed up so I was on the fly the whole time but we made a plan within 15 minutes and we were off and running. We checked in fleeces until 8pm, then moved all the tables into the secure room. We moved heavy tables with fleeces piled on with no men to help.
RANT 1- where is that famous upper body strength when you need it? Where's the beef? Yo! Guys! Man up and give the girls some help. I will bring beer if it helps.
We were in bed by 9p after a light dinner.
Thursday- long, challenging, unrewarding, at the same time, valuable. It was just the beginning of the Wool Show mania. Stay tuned for Friday.
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