Billy stopped in to tell me I'm the official size ..of Austin Texas :o/ He had previously measured my waist (so embarrassing) to make a belt for a shop there. Well they said it was perfect and ordered 400. Yes 400!! in my size. He sells these things for $80 a piece! THEY sell them for $120! Dude takes the side of a cow, cuts strips, bends copper wire to resemble a buckle, pokes a few holes and splatters paint on a few of them. Done. No stitching, no design.. etc. He will have all 500 done in less then a week. Unbelievable!
He said the reason they sell for that price is the story behind them. He went out in the Little Pigeon river and had his woman take pictures of him wading in the water, pounding metal against a rock. Then he went to NY and sold himself as "the TN hilbilly" Spread that photo around, rented a $700/night suite for two nights & threw moonshine parties in the evenings. Those New Yorkers had never had moonshine before, so he was INSTANTLY the coolest guy in town. At that show he took enough orders to set him for the rest of the year. Now! There was a film crew here the other day, who met him in NY, they filmed his shop and went to his home. He said he was running around trying to clean up and they told him not to. They took shots of a rusted car in his back yard, empty beer cans etc. Made him out to be 'the hilbilly' he has advertised himself as. Now he's gonna be on TV and is WORRIED about ALL THE ORDERS he'll get! What a problem to have!!
Now, I've come to realize I am more 'proud' then I have allowed myself to believe in the past. I could NEVER do that. Be the dirty hillbilly! No way!! AND....... I take pride in the art I create. I would LOVE to have an item that we could complete in a matter of minutes and sell mass quantities for crazy prices. Hell, if I had that, we may not need this store!! BUT, we started this for the love of the art. The satisfaction taken from being able to do things others can't and the quality and beauty and absolute perfection in the finished piece.. <warm fuzzy feeling> I have trouble with the thought of throwing something together that I know anyone could do. But when you break it down, we sell a chair for $2,500 and are still making minimum wage or LESS hourly. This guy makes like $2-300/ hour! Dude is making a killing!!!
This has made me actually consider finding something we could mass produce, sell it wholesale like he does, and have this business on the side. Then maybe our art will be 'fun' again....... it's become 'a JOB' and neither of us are as excited about it as we used to be. My only concern would be adding something else to my plate. I already run my home, this shop, an online store, and Etsy. To add wholesaling........ *sigh* BUT, it has the potential to make us TONS of money if done correctly. I could FINALLY get my JEEP!! ((4 door JK! Green with Warn bumpers and swing away carrier, Cepek wheels (chrome AND black), Mickey T's, Sky Jacker lift (just 4") and the half doors with the metal frame & like 35 pockets!!)) Oooooh one fine day.....
Like I need something else to wrap my head around..... but if I could swallow a bit of my pride, this could possibly be a good idea.... worth thinking about anyway.
Back to work. Count down to huggin my Momma T- 3 days!! :o) Dancing with daddy in 4! <3 CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
People
LOL ooooooh I've never been a 'people watcher', don't normally care what everyone else is doing. But now I live in a tourist town and buddy I've seen EVERYTHING. So now... I still wouldn't call myself a 'watcher' but I certainly pay more attention. Like today for example, it's what, 1:00? I've seen a snot nosed little b*tch about 15-16 walk around with her parents in tow proclaiming what was nice and what was not and where they would be going next and where she will eat tonight etc.. The ADULTS just followed on her heels nodding their heads like servants. Then I watched a child stand in my doorway and dump his ice cream to the ground. He picked it up with the sleeve of his shirt pulled down over his hand, plopped it back on his cone and licked his sleeve. His father (who stood watching him do this) then tells the child to come into my shop, picks up a $30 wooden box and hands it to him...... *angry eyes* A man kissed my hand and told me how God has blessed me with so much talent, then 10 minutes later a woman walks in and says, "That's not art. Even I could do that." to the same piece he was complimenting me on. (Note, she didn't notice there was an image inside. Just thought it was a black and white pic of dead trees -Who's the idiot?) Two ladies have been in here for the past 15 minutes talking about their "friend" outside who's possibly cheating on her husband and can't hold her booze. And between giggles start making fun of people who gage their ears (Can't wait till they notice mine) And I can hear a man out back who's dressed like a true Texan, belting away that song Chad likes about cornbread & chicken while some 3 year old is blowing into one of those toy whistles as hard as his little lungs will allow! (argh! hate those stupid things!)
It's fun to see people out of their element. Everyone sorta lets their guard down on vacation. One of those, "I'll never see these people again" kinda things. (I remember my mother stating that exact line when I was a child.) They dress a little differently and get excited faster over things they would over look in their every day lives... But they also get a bit edgy. Like at the flip of a switch they can snap. (like my split personality on here, huh mom? :oP) I assume it's due to close quarter sleeping arrangements, miss communication, getting lost, food they're not used too... etc. It's just fun to be around. Like a whole different world. And it's great because you can almost immediately pick out the locals. At least we can now. And apparently we've transformed cuz anymore when we go out, they tells us we'll get the local discount before we even mention we live here.
It's fun to see people out of their element. Everyone sorta lets their guard down on vacation. One of those, "I'll never see these people again" kinda things. (I remember my mother stating that exact line when I was a child.) They dress a little differently and get excited faster over things they would over look in their every day lives... But they also get a bit edgy. Like at the flip of a switch they can snap. (like my split personality on here, huh mom? :oP) I assume it's due to close quarter sleeping arrangements, miss communication, getting lost, food they're not used too... etc. It's just fun to be around. Like a whole different world. And it's great because you can almost immediately pick out the locals. At least we can now. And apparently we've transformed cuz anymore when we go out, they tells us we'll get the local discount before we even mention we live here.
Friday, June 24, 2011
The Abernathy's
When Chad and I first started this business we would do shows, such as the Craftsman's fair at the convention center in Gatlinburg. We don't so much anymore due to having this store and all the 'free time' I've previously pointed out. But when we did, we got to meet so many interesting people. Craftsmen and artists from all over the US.
One year, the show we did was a total bust. We were fortunate enough to double what we put into it (which isn't great, but worth doing the show) But the people at the end of our isle seemed to have not done much of anything. It was an older couple, my Grandparents age or so, with beautifully turned vases, bowls and candle holders. Their prices were a bit high, but the quality of what they had was AMAZING. This little old man who walked with a cane was turning THOSE?? We were just SO intrigued, that the second to last day of the show we went to them and struck up conversation.
Come to find their names are Hugh and Betty Abernathy and they're older then we thought, nearing 90. They're from Alabama and were SOO hard to understand! The most southern of accents I had ever heard!! They're also extremely religious, having asked us about our beliefs and quoting verses numerous times throughout our conversation. We also learned that they hadn't sold a SINGLE item the entire two weeks of the show! They drove all the way from Tuscaloosa, AL, payed the $2,000 fee for a booth, plus hotel, food etc.. and didn't make a dime!...
That broke our hearts. We were completely astounded by that info and decided to do everything in our power to help them out. So we went around to wealthy friends/ customers of ours and asked, 'Hey could you do us a favor and buy something from these people?' Then we went and bought a $300 bowl. Now, we REALLY could not afford to do that, but all I kept thinking was that they REALLY could not afford to go home empty handed.... Thankfully a few of our friends chipped in too and a man who has bought thousands of dollars worth of stuff from us, who also owns the company in charge of setting up the booths, ended up purchasing enough from them to cover all of their expenses!! :)
Now, we told these people not to mention to the Abernathy's that we were the ones that sent them there, but apparently they didn't listen. Because after John (the man I spoke of) bought all that stuff, Hugh walked over to our booth in tears and asked Chad if it was alright for him to hug me *giggles* He thanked us again and again and took our information, gave us theirs and said he would forever be indebted to us and we have claimed a special place in their hearts. <3
Since then we have been pen pals, writing each other at least once a month. They even came to our wedding! Drove all the way here, stayed for just the ceremony, and drove back. CRAZY! They have sent us little gifts randomly. Things he has turned and thought we would like. And I sent a care package just last month when we heard their area had been hit pretty hard by a tornado. (Luckily they just lost their electric and water for a few days and nothing worse) So anyway, the reason I decided to write about them, last night we got home and found a notice on our door that we missed a package. So this morning we went to the post office and found this......
Beautiful, right?! Completely unnecessary, but gorgeous! It's huge too! 10x10 ...I have no idea how to reply to this. I mean, we've gotten some little things before, but to send us a piece they could price at $4-500.... I'm flattered near tears. These people are just so sweet and I cherish this weird little relationship we have with them :') God bless Tuscaloosa, Alabama and Hugh & Betty Abernathy <3
Monday, June 20, 2011
Guilt
Today's been a rough one. Had trouble sleeping last night over a guilty conscience... Funny how someone who barely knows you, can say something not even directed toward you, and you feel guilty about something that could 'possibly' hurt someone you don't even know.......... Or maybe that's just me.
We got to work this morning and my husband discovered a contest on this site we're on called LumberJocks. It's called "look mom, no nails" and it's woodwork that people have created not using any hardware. Um HELLO :o) That's what we do! The top 6 prizes include one of each Gorilla Glue product made and there's $200 for top as well. So he wanted to enter this chair he made that is the most incredible piece of work I've seen in person. Problem: A few months ago I deleted a file by accident on on our computer which ultimately deleted every photo taken the previous year and a half.... including the process photos he took when making that chair. One of the requirements to this contest is to show the process... so he can't enter and I suck... again. ONE click! One dumb decision that lasted one fraction of a second and all of it..... gone. This KEEPS biting me in the ass. So on top of the guilt I felt all night, I now have this burden on my shoulders.
So then I start sifting through photos in every file and folder I can find trying desperately to redeem that mistake I made, and I find photos of Sapersompin, my cat who was with me for over 8 years. He passed away about 7 months ago. He was diabetic. We gave him insulin shots twice a day for nearly two years. Do you have any idea how expensive that can be? Vet visits twice a month, viles of insulin, needles, special food & water & treats... It got to the point where we HAD to cut back on something. So I started doing vet visits once a month as opposed to two. And upped the dosage in his shots half a notch rather then an entire notch........ I ultimately killed my cat. Not JUST killed him, but put him through God knows how much pain before he died. He disappeared on us one night. We called and called and called for him till about 1:30am. When we found him he was dragging himself to us in an army crawl unable to move his back legs. We went to an emergency clinic, sat up with him all night... no one could figure out what was wrong. There were no marks anywhere on his body with the exception of where his legs had been dragging the ground. When our vet finally opened in the morning, we took him there and after 4 very long hours were informed he had gone into diabetic shock. It made him convulse so terribly he kicked both of his back legs right out of socket. Why? Not enough insulin.....
Guilt. It hits you when you least expect it. And it eats away at you until you are consumed entirely. I try to base decisions on not having to worry about this feeling in the long run, but sometimes, as with a single click of a mouse... you can't help it. What's worse is when you KNOW what you're doing is wrong, but there is a stronger desire or reason to go ahead with it anyway (like lack of funding with my kitten) You take chances, weigh odds....... who are you willing to hurt? How far are you willing to go? Everything comes to an end. Nothing is free. Every decision you make, no matter how small, will effect something down the line. Just sitting here now writing this, I've chosen not to work for a moment, which means I'll have more work to do later. I don't know who all reads this, or who may stumble upon it later and decide to read it months from now. But I DO know, it'll have an effect on something or someone. Lets hope it's positive............. though considering my day, I'm gonna guess not. :o/
We got to work this morning and my husband discovered a contest on this site we're on called LumberJocks. It's called "look mom, no nails" and it's woodwork that people have created not using any hardware. Um HELLO :o) That's what we do! The top 6 prizes include one of each Gorilla Glue product made and there's $200 for top as well. So he wanted to enter this chair he made that is the most incredible piece of work I've seen in person. Problem: A few months ago I deleted a file by accident on on our computer which ultimately deleted every photo taken the previous year and a half.... including the process photos he took when making that chair. One of the requirements to this contest is to show the process... so he can't enter and I suck... again. ONE click! One dumb decision that lasted one fraction of a second and all of it..... gone. This KEEPS biting me in the ass. So on top of the guilt I felt all night, I now have this burden on my shoulders.
So then I start sifting through photos in every file and folder I can find trying desperately to redeem that mistake I made, and I find photos of Sapersompin, my cat who was with me for over 8 years. He passed away about 7 months ago. He was diabetic. We gave him insulin shots twice a day for nearly two years. Do you have any idea how expensive that can be? Vet visits twice a month, viles of insulin, needles, special food & water & treats... It got to the point where we HAD to cut back on something. So I started doing vet visits once a month as opposed to two. And upped the dosage in his shots half a notch rather then an entire notch........ I ultimately killed my cat. Not JUST killed him, but put him through God knows how much pain before he died. He disappeared on us one night. We called and called and called for him till about 1:30am. When we found him he was dragging himself to us in an army crawl unable to move his back legs. We went to an emergency clinic, sat up with him all night... no one could figure out what was wrong. There were no marks anywhere on his body with the exception of where his legs had been dragging the ground. When our vet finally opened in the morning, we took him there and after 4 very long hours were informed he had gone into diabetic shock. It made him convulse so terribly he kicked both of his back legs right out of socket. Why? Not enough insulin.....
Guilt. It hits you when you least expect it. And it eats away at you until you are consumed entirely. I try to base decisions on not having to worry about this feeling in the long run, but sometimes, as with a single click of a mouse... you can't help it. What's worse is when you KNOW what you're doing is wrong, but there is a stronger desire or reason to go ahead with it anyway (like lack of funding with my kitten) You take chances, weigh odds....... who are you willing to hurt? How far are you willing to go? Everything comes to an end. Nothing is free. Every decision you make, no matter how small, will effect something down the line. Just sitting here now writing this, I've chosen not to work for a moment, which means I'll have more work to do later. I don't know who all reads this, or who may stumble upon it later and decide to read it months from now. But I DO know, it'll have an effect on something or someone. Lets hope it's positive............. though considering my day, I'm gonna guess not. :o/
Friday, June 17, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Alum Cave
We FINALLY made it to Alum Cave!! And it was everything I had hoped it would be! Gorgeous trail, gorgeous views, gorgeous company... Kinda steep and chilly when we started but perfect by the time we reached the peak. I hope to transfer my hiking folder from Facebook over to here (once I figure out how) so Momma can see all the great pics we've taken. I've taken all the best ones and collected them in a file and when I've got some extra fundage I'm gonna have them printed on canvas for in the shop. I would think they would sell quite nicely to those who have been where we've taken them (and some who haven't) We get up to these places before the crowds. You can't beat early morning light and uninterrupted photos. By the time the tourists get there, it's nearly impossible to get a shot without a bunch of strangers in it so I know mine are better then theirs!
Had a crazy busy weekend with friends and family from out of town, hence the lack in posts. My pleas for a Realtor have, yet again, been overruled and now we've (meaning I... 'we' usually means I) created fliers to take to all the different realty companies stating that we are doing a FSBO but they can show the house for 3% as opposed to 6% *sigh* this had BETTER work! We got up at 3:45 this morning rather then our usual 4:15 so we could drive around and stick them in their doors..... Being as by the time we leave work they're all closed anyway, it didn't matter what time we got there. Please pray this works!
Other then that I've been sculpting, painting, wood burning, printing, matting and singing...... always singing. I've got 5 projects on my desk right now, which believe it or not, is few. My brain hurts when it's idle. Just sucks when a monkey wrench is thrown or something takes longer to get finished (selling my home) then I had planned. Puts a huge kink in my daily activities, my mind and body go into overdrive and I become 'the robot'. Don't stop till it's done........ Wish just a tiny bit of that would rub off on to my man :o/
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Tonight's Excitement
Tonight we're meeting friends of ours and taking their kids to Elkmont, just outside of Cades Cove to view the Synchronous Fireflies. During a two week window here in June a natural phenomenon happens that scientists still can't fully explain. Thousands of fireflies gather and mate in this one spot and they all blink in unison! THOUSANDS! I can't even imagine. What inner child doesn't love lightening bugs?? I know mine does! So I'm pretty excited to see this. Hopefully I'll have a video to post in the morning.
AND I have fallen in love with a tiny little stone cottage in Sevierville. It has three out buildings, two being rather nice storage sheds and one like a kennel/ carport/ roof and three sides thing with a fence around it (that will be torn down) It sits on 2.25 acres with ample room for the kiln and the pups. It's oober cheap and has our name allll over it! The pillars on the front porch even have little bears carved in 'em!! :o) Problem is, it's on a short sale and we still haven't sold our house :'o( I'm afraid we won't be able to make an offer in time........ I'm dying a little inside. We were gonna go with a Realtor, had one come to the house and started paper work, then my father in-law suggested to my husband that we do FSBO first to save 6%. I TOLD him all that would do is delay sale. I've tried advertising every which way I can find for owners, short of paying $3-400 for listings and we've had very little interest at all. Meanwhile, the Realtor we originally met with had called us the very next day and said she had people interested if we would let her show the house. When he told her no I sat in the bathroom grinding my teeth till I was able to face him and keep my trap shut. We could have had it sold in the first week!!! grr But anyway, NOW I win, and we're calling another Realtor in the morning and listing with them. I'm hoping today, after work, we can go look inside that adorable little cottage so I can convince my hubby to light a fire under his ass and make an effort here and hopefully all our cards fall into place and we can get this one.
But now I don't know if we'll have time. Guess the landlord/ shop owner next to us has informed Chad that they made $300 yesterday after 5:00 and $150 the day before whereas we left at 5. Our hours are 10-5, 7 days a week. Now I would LOVE to stay till 6-7:00 and pick up those few extra people that MIGHT stop by. But see, what the other shop owners here don't seem to get is that Chad and I are IT! SEVEN DAYS A WEEK 10-5!! They ALL have people that work for them. They've been doing this for years so they can afford it. AND they all live within 10 minutes of here! We drive TWO HOURS every single day. So really we're dedicated to work from 9-6, at least! Chris, the landlord, will show up here around three and stay till six then give us shit for not staying after hours. Easy for him to say! If I had someone else opening for me daily, the ability to leave any time I'd like and only lived 6 minutes away, I'd stay till 8 if need be! But that's not the case. PLEASE don't compare yourself to us!! Our situations are entirely different! And like I said, I'd LOVE to make an extra $300 in an hour, but come 5 I'm burnt with this place, know I'll be back first thing in the morning every day from now till January and still have an hour drive home. AND that $300 is never guaranteed. Promise me I'll make enough money to make it worth my while, and I'll stick till 6.. *sigh* We NEED to move closer. We NEED to sell this house. We NEED to save the $560/month we're spending in gas getting to and from here so we can stick around and possibly make a few extra bucks after hours. Hell, with that extra $560, I could maybe pay someone to open for me! Either that, or a family member needs to hurry the hell up and move here so they can cover the shop a few days a week. Think of all the things you can get done before 3:00pm....... If we do absolutely nothing but come to work, leave right on time and go straight home, I am home from about 6:15pm- 9am. How much do you get accomplished THEN....... not a whole hell of a lot! Dinner. Sleep. Don't preach to me about staying here any longer then I already do. Take out the hours we're sleeping, roughly 1-8 (if we don't get up to hike), we have 8 hours a day to do something other then work or drive. Big 'ol F U talkin like I'm not dedicated to this shit cuz I leave on time. Grr Grr Grr Look how I go from so happy to just..... grrr
Breathing................. Fireflies.................... *sigh*................. :o) Smile at the tourons
Well there goes... everything :o( Guess we're gonna have a VERY busy day tomorrow
AND I have fallen in love with a tiny little stone cottage in Sevierville. It has three out buildings, two being rather nice storage sheds and one like a kennel/ carport/ roof and three sides thing with a fence around it (that will be torn down) It sits on 2.25 acres with ample room for the kiln and the pups. It's oober cheap and has our name allll over it! The pillars on the front porch even have little bears carved in 'em!! :o) Problem is, it's on a short sale and we still haven't sold our house :'o( I'm afraid we won't be able to make an offer in time........ I'm dying a little inside. We were gonna go with a Realtor, had one come to the house and started paper work, then my father in-law suggested to my husband that we do FSBO first to save 6%. I TOLD him all that would do is delay sale. I've tried advertising every which way I can find for owners, short of paying $3-400 for listings and we've had very little interest at all. Meanwhile, the Realtor we originally met with had called us the very next day and said she had people interested if we would let her show the house. When he told her no I sat in the bathroom grinding my teeth till I was able to face him and keep my trap shut. We could have had it sold in the first week!!! grr But anyway, NOW I win, and we're calling another Realtor in the morning and listing with them. I'm hoping today, after work, we can go look inside that adorable little cottage so I can convince my hubby to light a fire under his ass and make an effort here and hopefully all our cards fall into place and we can get this one.
But now I don't know if we'll have time. Guess the landlord/ shop owner next to us has informed Chad that they made $300 yesterday after 5:00 and $150 the day before whereas we left at 5. Our hours are 10-5, 7 days a week. Now I would LOVE to stay till 6-7:00 and pick up those few extra people that MIGHT stop by. But see, what the other shop owners here don't seem to get is that Chad and I are IT! SEVEN DAYS A WEEK 10-5!! They ALL have people that work for them. They've been doing this for years so they can afford it. AND they all live within 10 minutes of here! We drive TWO HOURS every single day. So really we're dedicated to work from 9-6, at least! Chris, the landlord, will show up here around three and stay till six then give us shit for not staying after hours. Easy for him to say! If I had someone else opening for me daily, the ability to leave any time I'd like and only lived 6 minutes away, I'd stay till 8 if need be! But that's not the case. PLEASE don't compare yourself to us!! Our situations are entirely different! And like I said, I'd LOVE to make an extra $300 in an hour, but come 5 I'm burnt with this place, know I'll be back first thing in the morning every day from now till January and still have an hour drive home. AND that $300 is never guaranteed. Promise me I'll make enough money to make it worth my while, and I'll stick till 6.. *sigh* We NEED to move closer. We NEED to sell this house. We NEED to save the $560/month we're spending in gas getting to and from here so we can stick around and possibly make a few extra bucks after hours. Hell, with that extra $560, I could maybe pay someone to open for me! Either that, or a family member needs to hurry the hell up and move here so they can cover the shop a few days a week. Think of all the things you can get done before 3:00pm....... If we do absolutely nothing but come to work, leave right on time and go straight home, I am home from about 6:15pm- 9am. How much do you get accomplished THEN....... not a whole hell of a lot! Dinner. Sleep. Don't preach to me about staying here any longer then I already do. Take out the hours we're sleeping, roughly 1-8 (if we don't get up to hike), we have 8 hours a day to do something other then work or drive. Big 'ol F U talkin like I'm not dedicated to this shit cuz I leave on time. Grr Grr Grr Look how I go from so happy to just..... grrr
Breathing................. Fireflies.................... *sigh*................. :o) Smile at the tourons
Well there goes... everything :o( Guess we're gonna have a VERY busy day tomorrow
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Deep Breath...
The amount of responsibilities I take on are ridiculous. Most of the time I'm aware, but roll with it because, well what else am I gonna do? Short of closing up shop and getting a job at Wal-Mart (blah!) But today is one of those days where I just feel so completely overwhelmed. Before noon I've been to the eye doctor, written out bills, balanced out my checkbook, responded to emails, packaged and delivered products, dealt with customers in person and on the phone, replaced inventory on the floor, cleaned up behind the counter, made breakfast and lunch, called Holly about plans for Thursday, Chad's Aunt for plans on Friday, my sister in-law about Saturday, made a station to promote the neighbor's restaurant and finished cutting and labeling matts I had started before leaving here yesterday. My husband came in for lunch about an hour ago and I asked what he's done today & was told he's been LOOKING at sticks out back and deciding if he needs to run the kiln....... Are you freaking kidding me?!?!? I love the guy to pieces but........ REALLY?
Now I know I take on too much by myself. I want to cater to him and my life, as it is, was made to fulfill his dreams. But I can't tell you how frustrating it is when I have 900 things in my head and he has one. I'm already thinking about having to call the groomer (who was closed on Monday when I took the dogs out) to set up an appointment, cleaning finger and nose prints off the windows, stopping at the store on the way home to pick up a few things for dinner, the horrendous state my living room is in right now that I'll be cleaning up when we get home, the laundry I haven't had a chance to finish and the lady looking for wagon wheels that will be calling around 6 for me to tell her I've searched everywhere and she's on her own.......... I just HAD to sit down and write. My chest has gotten tight and my thoughts are getting jumbled and my hands starting to shake.. if this blog has done nothing for me except give me an out, I'm totally at peace with that. I don't care if no one reads it. (though I know my Momma is. Hi Mom!) It's like my new diary and gives me an opportunity to just let my thoughts flow and my mind refocus and my entire being take a much needed deep breath............... now back to work!
xx
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Baskins Creek
This is where hubby and I went to play this morning. We hike more then the average person would find enjoyable, and not enough for our liking. This morning didn't exactly start how we intended. First of all, we MEANT to go to Alum Cave.............. again! The trail head is so far away from where we live now that we just know we'd be late for work. See we try to get these hikes in before the store opens at 10 due to the fact that we NEVER have a day off... (One of the few negatives to what we do, working 7 days a week) On the way to the cave we ran into traffic, had to stop for gas, hung out for turkeys to do their thing.... in short, delayed enough, even having left at 4:30am, that we couldn't make the trek and actually enjoy what we were goin to see. So on the way there we swapped to Baskins Creek.
CATCH: The side note in our trail guide
"This trail is mostly uncut (hard to follow in spots) due to the trail head being hard to find. Not many people take this trail as opposed to it's neighboring falls which are visited by hundreds, sometimes thousands of people daily."
We read this and thought, 'well sweet!' But after wasting a couple hours and hiking a couple miles before finding where it begins, I was thinkin 'Not so much.' The bonus to our misguided *cough Chad cough* detour was we got to see a bear!!! One of my favorite things EVER! Dude was HUGE!! He was up on the hillside above our heads. We heard him and stopped and pulled out the camera. As I zoomed in I was well aware he was staring me in the face (frightening) I snapped a quick shot then he lifted his front paws about a foot off the ground then stomped down making this grunting noise. Sooooooo we left....... quickly :o/ After about another half mile of nothin, we turned around to head back. At that time these people were driving down the motor nature trail and stopped us to say, "Hey there's this HUGE bear down there. Just crossed the road and will be on your left, be careful." lol
So we found the trail much later then I had hoped, but it was a shorty so we figured we could still make it. (Arrived at the shop at 10:05..... ya buddy) Usually on a destination trail, (start and stop at the same spot, as opposed to a through trail which requires two vehicles or some sweetie to pick ya up) you can count on your trip out being almost exactly half the time it takes to get in. Due to A) having already seen the scenery and B) MOST of the time you start up the mountain and leave down. This trail is not that way! Most the entire way in the grade was so steep our feet were pointed to hell and our toes sliding and crashing into to front of our shoes. We randomly stopped a few times, looked way up behind us and said, "This is gonna suck." Well........... we weren't too far from accurate on that account. The way out wasn't so much fun. But, I've done worse (Chimney Tops *UGH!!*) So I just kept telling myself that and rather then doubling on our time out, we rocked it in time and a half :)
Then we get to the store and two Peacock are chillin out back. I ran in and got some bird seed (on a whim, who the hell knows what a Peacock eats?) I tossed it to them and they actually seemed to dig it. So they hung out with us for awhile.... So far, a pretty stellar day if I do say so myself.
Monday, June 6, 2011
A part of my tomorrow
Richard Bach has a quote:
"Every person, all the events of your life are there because you have drawn them there. What you choose to do with them is up to you."
It is by far one of my favorite quotes of all time. How much control do you have over your own life in that statement?................. Complete. And that's closer to the truth then most people will ever truly fathom. Yesterday we went to The Smoky Mountain Knife Works (One of my favorite places here. We were there for nearly 3 hours and had to help drag each other out) and we met this guy who worked there. He started to tell us what we were looking at and I finished his sentence so he would leave us alone, but instead it peaked his interest and we stood there talking about everything from woodwork to lottery winnings. He stated that his Aunt had come into 75million dollars and now she's a total bitch with a new face and a new ass. It completely changed her. So he says, his feelings are, that if you get something so generous you begin to change who you are, you need to give it to people who could really DO something with it. Like leave your waitress a few thousand dollars as a tip for a cup of coffee and a bagel. CHAD SAYS THAT ALL THE TIME! So right there I'm thinking "We could totally be friends with this dude. Give him a card, tell him to call or stop by the shop." Crossroads. Choice is now his...
When you meet someone, or get a new job, a new place.... You immediately have to choose what to do with them.. And every decision made from there on, steers you in a direction involving said person/place. So why, if someone or something in your life is making you miserable, do you keep choosing to deal with it the way you do? NOTHING has to be forever. If you surround yourself with people you enjoy in places you enjoy, and make wise decisions as to how often they need to be there, and how much effort you are willing to put into them........ what could there be to complain about? The choice is solely up to you...
I know there are people in my life that I hold near and dear to my heart. Friends I've had for YEARS. But the reason we remain friends, is because we only see each other for small increments of time with long periods between. Not because I don't adore them!! But we share common underlying interests, but lead totally different lives. Or maybe we don't agree with certain choices they've made, or vise versa. Too much of that and you start to focus on the negative in that person, rather then what it is about them that you love so much you never want to lose them.
Then there are the people you just NEED to talk to every day. Your conversations may be long and deep or short and virtually pointless, but when a day passes that you haven't spoken at all, you feel sorta.........empty. Like that day just wasn't all it could have been........ These people may not have any more in common with you then friend 'A', but they have a way of relating to you in a sense that no one else can. You keep them around because they fill a spot in your life that you like having occupied..... At any point you could tell that person to stick it, but you don't want to. You CHOOSE to keep them there.
I have made a few choices in my life that I am not proud of, or wish I could do over. Mainly because that one bad decision has changed a certain course in my life that I may have liked to travel. "If only I had..........." But knowing that from this point on I can change my tomorrow, today, comforts me and gives me such a beautiful outlook on life. I don't think about 'right this moment' per say, nor do I think of 20 years from now, every decision is based on who, what, and where I want to be -a part of my tomorrow.
And tomorrow, I'm gonna call my Momma and check up on Naarnan <3
xx
"Every person, all the events of your life are there because you have drawn them there. What you choose to do with them is up to you."
It is by far one of my favorite quotes of all time. How much control do you have over your own life in that statement?................. Complete. And that's closer to the truth then most people will ever truly fathom. Yesterday we went to The Smoky Mountain Knife Works (One of my favorite places here. We were there for nearly 3 hours and had to help drag each other out) and we met this guy who worked there. He started to tell us what we were looking at and I finished his sentence so he would leave us alone, but instead it peaked his interest and we stood there talking about everything from woodwork to lottery winnings. He stated that his Aunt had come into 75million dollars and now she's a total bitch with a new face and a new ass. It completely changed her. So he says, his feelings are, that if you get something so generous you begin to change who you are, you need to give it to people who could really DO something with it. Like leave your waitress a few thousand dollars as a tip for a cup of coffee and a bagel. CHAD SAYS THAT ALL THE TIME! So right there I'm thinking "We could totally be friends with this dude. Give him a card, tell him to call or stop by the shop." Crossroads. Choice is now his...
When you meet someone, or get a new job, a new place.... You immediately have to choose what to do with them.. And every decision made from there on, steers you in a direction involving said person/place. So why, if someone or something in your life is making you miserable, do you keep choosing to deal with it the way you do? NOTHING has to be forever. If you surround yourself with people you enjoy in places you enjoy, and make wise decisions as to how often they need to be there, and how much effort you are willing to put into them........ what could there be to complain about? The choice is solely up to you...
I know there are people in my life that I hold near and dear to my heart. Friends I've had for YEARS. But the reason we remain friends, is because we only see each other for small increments of time with long periods between. Not because I don't adore them!! But we share common underlying interests, but lead totally different lives. Or maybe we don't agree with certain choices they've made, or vise versa. Too much of that and you start to focus on the negative in that person, rather then what it is about them that you love so much you never want to lose them.
Then there are the people you just NEED to talk to every day. Your conversations may be long and deep or short and virtually pointless, but when a day passes that you haven't spoken at all, you feel sorta.........empty. Like that day just wasn't all it could have been........ These people may not have any more in common with you then friend 'A', but they have a way of relating to you in a sense that no one else can. You keep them around because they fill a spot in your life that you like having occupied..... At any point you could tell that person to stick it, but you don't want to. You CHOOSE to keep them there.
I have made a few choices in my life that I am not proud of, or wish I could do over. Mainly because that one bad decision has changed a certain course in my life that I may have liked to travel. "If only I had..........." But knowing that from this point on I can change my tomorrow, today, comforts me and gives me such a beautiful outlook on life. I don't think about 'right this moment' per say, nor do I think of 20 years from now, every decision is based on who, what, and where I want to be -a part of my tomorrow.
And tomorrow, I'm gonna call my Momma and check up on Naarnan <3
xx
Sunday, June 5, 2011
The fly
It's funny how little things can just drive you mad. Like for instance, this fly that's been buzzing around my shop for two days. I thought they only lived for like 24 hours?? Apparently NatGeo has lied to me! I was just shoeing the damn thing away, but then he landed on my coffee cup and stuck his little, beady head in the hole I drink from! grrr Now, I'm on a mission. The fly must die!
On a side note, we have plans for the evening!! :) That always brings a smile to my face. Being as we don't know many people here, we don't do a whole lot of anything with other people, Just us. All the time...... But my girl, Holly, has moved here from Ohio so we'll be joining her and her adorable family for a cookout at their new place this evening. I've been wanting someone we know to move here for years now (yes my brother lives about an hour away, and I love him to pieces and haven't forgotten that. But I mean a mutual friend of ours) I never would have guessed the first person to relocate toward us to be her. We've both placed bets on who it might be. Josh, Heather, Whitney, my cousin Dom......... But Holly never crossed either of our minds. It's sorta bitter sweet as she is the one who hooked Chad and I up to begin with. I had NO intentions of dating anyone at the time, but her and her bf then, Dave, kept insisting I give him a chance. So I caved and invited him to her house one night. The boy thought we said EXIT 50 when we said RT 50 and needless to say, drove around aimlessly all night and never made it. So Naarnan and I threw a party the following weekend and they invited him over. He showed dressed like that dude from That 70's Show and had chops like Wolverine.... I was NOT impressed. Until then I had been into guys that were a bit more....... rough around the edges and, we'll say, 'thicker' then this 6'2" lanky 'dude.' But he was rather persistent, and look where we are today :) Never give up on what you want....
Speaking of, THE FLY HAS MET IT'S DEMISE!! See...... point proven.
xx
On a side note, we have plans for the evening!! :) That always brings a smile to my face. Being as we don't know many people here, we don't do a whole lot of anything with other people, Just us. All the time...... But my girl, Holly, has moved here from Ohio so we'll be joining her and her adorable family for a cookout at their new place this evening. I've been wanting someone we know to move here for years now (yes my brother lives about an hour away, and I love him to pieces and haven't forgotten that. But I mean a mutual friend of ours) I never would have guessed the first person to relocate toward us to be her. We've both placed bets on who it might be. Josh, Heather, Whitney, my cousin Dom......... But Holly never crossed either of our minds. It's sorta bitter sweet as she is the one who hooked Chad and I up to begin with. I had NO intentions of dating anyone at the time, but her and her bf then, Dave, kept insisting I give him a chance. So I caved and invited him to her house one night. The boy thought we said EXIT 50 when we said RT 50 and needless to say, drove around aimlessly all night and never made it. So Naarnan and I threw a party the following weekend and they invited him over. He showed dressed like that dude from That 70's Show and had chops like Wolverine.... I was NOT impressed. Until then I had been into guys that were a bit more....... rough around the edges and, we'll say, 'thicker' then this 6'2" lanky 'dude.' But he was rather persistent, and look where we are today :) Never give up on what you want....
Speaking of, THE FLY HAS MET IT'S DEMISE!! See...... point proven.
xx
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Body Image
I have such horrible image issues. I think everyone that knows me knows it.. but to what extent I really don't think even my husband grasps. And I KNOW only I can fix it. But I make excuses, have all my life. I don't have time to work out and no one to do it with, hubby eats anything he wants, any time of day.... Then we go to Fuddruckers and he tells me if I get a salad when I could have one of the best burgers in this town, he'll beat me like a redheaded step child. He knows I love their burgers, and he's right, I'd sit there and pout all through dinner if I had to watch him eat one. But the real problem is, I don't stop there. I need to throw in their awesome fries smothered in melted cheddar cheese *drooling* Then we pass Duncan Donuts on the way home..... have you had one of their caramel coffee drinks? They're the shiznit!! Already destroyed the day, so why not? Then I get home, strip for the shower, look at my body in the mirror and ball! Not shed a tear, I mean like gasping for breath, buckled over in the shower crying.
I wish more then anything I had a girlfriend here that would challenge me. Go to the gym and set a similar diet plan. Problem is, I don't know many girls here. That's the catch with moving to another state and running your own business where you don't have employees your age, even customers our age! It's really hard to make friends.... and without one constantly riding my ass, I have absolutely NO will power on my own. None. With anything. That's why I quit smoking, then start again, then quit, then start......
When I was growing up I developed a lot sooner then the other girls. I remember being the only one in the 4th grade with boobs. So I tried to cover them up with huge baggy clothes. But then, rather then appearing developed, I just looked fat! My loving brother and the neighbor guy began calling me Pumba the pig, and sadly it stuck. All through junior high. Guys sticking Pumba stickers to my locker and leaving notes with crude drawings on my desks. So when I got into the 9th grade, I decided I was gonna be proud of what I've got and changed my wardrobe. Starting wearing clothes that fit and putting on a little make up. Next thing I know all these guys that had NEVER looked my way before were treating me like a 'friend.' A whole new group of people were asking me to hang out on the weekends and being nice to me in the hallways. I went to 4 Senior Proms! Now this SHOULD have cheered me up. But instead it backfired. The ONLY thing that changed, was what I was wearing.......So now I'm thinking the only reason they like me is because of my body. Why couldn't we be friends when I was 'Pumba?'
From there I didn't know what to do. I didn't want friends that were so superficial. But now that they had given me a chance and we've gotten to know each other, they found they actually like ME.... so maybe I just needed an ice breaker and I didn't want to loose them..... ya know? Like a horrid catch 22.
Dating a total jerk through college didn't help matters much either. He knew that was a soft spot, so when he was angry with me (which was about every other hour, when he was drinking, when he was sober, when his buddies were around, when we were alone......) that would be the first thing he would slight me on. Got me to the point where I seriously considered bulimia. I could never be anorexic, I LOVE FOOD!! But throwing up is one of the worst feelings in the world, and considering doing it on purpose.......... *shaking head*
I really don't know how to beat this. Learn will power I suppose. Or pray for butt loads of money for Liposuction :) Honestly though, the damage is in my head more so then my body. Not claiming I'm delusional!! I'm like 20 lbs overweight for my height! I NEED to diet and work out. But I fear even if I did get to the ideal size..... I'd still cry in the shower. Kids are cruel and have no idea the kind of damage their words and actions can cause.
The rents
Today I've got a heavy heart. Missing the family something terrible...... My mother has a way of doing this to me. She calls first thing in the morning, before I've even had a cup of coffee and have spoken less then a dozen words, and then I'm stuck with her and my father on the brain the rest of the day. I'm not blaming her! I love when she's the first voice, aside from Chad's, that I hear. And it's not like that's the ONLY time I miss them. Just the other day I was listening to my Sirius, shuffling through pre-recorded songs, and this song by Emerson Drive 'He was a Good Man' came on. (Now, I would like to note that I have maybe THREE country songs TOTAL on this thing and all of them relate to the folks) I was wood burning on the previously mentioned map and had to stop because tears swelled in my eyes so bad I couldn't see. If you were to break my father down to just the nitty gritty, that song does it. It doesn't help that it mentions passing away, in which my father has pinky promised to never ever do!! And, sharing music is sorta a Daddy and me 'thing.' Once in high school he snuck in my car while it was parked at work andstuck a post-it on the stereo that read, "Play #4" The song was Le Ann Womack, 'I hope you dance.' First time I had ever heard it and it's just the sweetest song EVER!! The problem was, I was following the girls I worked with to a party. So I get there and park and they walk over to the car and I'm buckled over the steering wheel balling my eyes out! Sucked! Every time we play punch each other (another Daddy & me thing) I'm remembering that..
Anyone who has met my parents knows that they have this way of simply fulfilling your soul with delight (how cheesy is that statement) It's true though. They are giving, loving, joyful people willing to bend over backwards to make everyone else happy. I tell Chad all the time, the only thing about my Mother that makes me want to SCREAM is the fact that she can't say no...... to anyone! She puts herself out all the time for ungrateful people who end up using her for her generosity. Every time I say it, he takes his hand and forms a 'mouth' and makes it talk back in my face. Apparently I've got a bit of her in me :o/ In fact, I've got a lot of both of them in me and I'm SO proud to say so.
They have sacrificed so many luxuries in life to make sure my brother and I get everything we want and need. Even to this day when we SHOULD be adults who don't need their help anymore, they still reach out and give more then they really can. I hope one day to be able to show them what they mean to me...... I tell them all the time, but they're just words. How do you pay someone back for giving you LIFE? Not just life, but an incredible life full of endless possibilities and unwavering love and support.... *tears*
Daddy's counting down the days to retirement so they can move here and be with us. He comes home from work and tells mom "67 months, 48 days, so many hours...." *Choking up* I'm counting with him! There are so many places I would live before moving back to PA, the world is just so incredible and I want to experience all of it! But I wish I could put them in my pocket and take them with me everywhere I go.......
*sigh* You know, I started this thing to talk about ME...... No, just to talk. And today, they are what I want to talk about. <3
Anyone who has met my parents knows that they have this way of simply fulfilling your soul with delight (how cheesy is that statement) It's true though. They are giving, loving, joyful people willing to bend over backwards to make everyone else happy. I tell Chad all the time, the only thing about my Mother that makes me want to SCREAM is the fact that she can't say no...... to anyone! She puts herself out all the time for ungrateful people who end up using her for her generosity. Every time I say it, he takes his hand and forms a 'mouth' and makes it talk back in my face. Apparently I've got a bit of her in me :o/ In fact, I've got a lot of both of them in me and I'm SO proud to say so.
They have sacrificed so many luxuries in life to make sure my brother and I get everything we want and need. Even to this day when we SHOULD be adults who don't need their help anymore, they still reach out and give more then they really can. I hope one day to be able to show them what they mean to me...... I tell them all the time, but they're just words. How do you pay someone back for giving you LIFE? Not just life, but an incredible life full of endless possibilities and unwavering love and support.... *tears*
Daddy's counting down the days to retirement so they can move here and be with us. He comes home from work and tells mom "67 months, 48 days, so many hours...." *Choking up* I'm counting with him! There are so many places I would live before moving back to PA, the world is just so incredible and I want to experience all of it! But I wish I could put them in my pocket and take them with me everywhere I go.......
*sigh* You know, I started this thing to talk about ME...... No, just to talk. And today, they are what I want to talk about. <3
Friday, June 3, 2011
New at this..
Okay, so I made a blog... kinda. I opened a page and gave it a name and now I sit here thinking, "What the hell do you really want to say on this thing?" I'm not sure there is much of a point. I mean, I'm not a nutritionist or an advocate for most anything... I don't 'follow' anyone or tweet. I just have a bunch of off the wall conversations with myself and have decided if you want to waste some of your precious time reading them, have at it!
Before I get too far into it though, I should probably mention that if all were kosher and unoffensive, I would just post on Facebook. The real underlying reason in this attempt is to take down some walls and not worry about who may not want to hear what I have to say. So if you are easily offended, or if you're simply snooping into my life to spread vicious nonsense and talk behind my back, then I'd appreciate if you would pretend you never found this site.
Now, I must get back to work.. which starts with hiking this skirt and placing my bare bottom to the cold concrete in the back room. It's friggin hot in here! THEN I'll get to work. I'm currently making a 4' map of Smoky Mountains National Park and Cherokee, covering all hiking trails, roads and rivers. It's tedious, but will be pretty sexy when it's done. And I'll feel accomplished. Who doesn't need a little of that!?
If you've got something to say to me, spill. Don't ask me how though, cuz I haven't the foggiest.... yet :)
Before I get too far into it though, I should probably mention that if all were kosher and unoffensive, I would just post on Facebook. The real underlying reason in this attempt is to take down some walls and not worry about who may not want to hear what I have to say. So if you are easily offended, or if you're simply snooping into my life to spread vicious nonsense and talk behind my back, then I'd appreciate if you would pretend you never found this site.
Now, I must get back to work.. which starts with hiking this skirt and placing my bare bottom to the cold concrete in the back room. It's friggin hot in here! THEN I'll get to work. I'm currently making a 4' map of Smoky Mountains National Park and Cherokee, covering all hiking trails, roads and rivers. It's tedious, but will be pretty sexy when it's done. And I'll feel accomplished. Who doesn't need a little of that!?
If you've got something to say to me, spill. Don't ask me how though, cuz I haven't the foggiest.... yet :)
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