Updated Economics

I went to my doll club meeting today--always interesting due to the diversity of the members. We are a group of women who make dolls out of cloth. The main benefit of belonging to a group like this is the camaraderie. It is very unusual to find anyone who wants to make anything out of cloth these days, and to have friends who will talk about it is like finding treasure.

The nature of craftspeople is to collect interesting looking things that may come into some use down the road. You never know when you are going to need something shiny to stitch to a little coat, or a small brass buckle or bell that will just finish up a hat. We have our favorite haunts, one of them being the Materials Resource Center. They get donations from individuals and businesses of surplus items that would normally be sent to the land fill, and sell them by weight. You never know what you are going to find when you go there. There are old wallpaper books, and spindles, fabric remnants, wood pieces, unmounted rubber stamps, little boxes, bins of electrical parts--you have to have an open mind when you go through that door. I try very hard not to buy anything until I have an idea what I am going to do with it, but I never leave without SOMETHING in my hand.

Another source had been a number of stores that have come and gone that were "odd lot" stores--places that bought out closeouts for almost no money, and then resold them for a small profit. I used to get some spectacular bargains. Now we have bigger chains with more outlets, pretty much calling themselves Dollar Stores. Unfortunately, they seem to be going the way of all retail these days, and there is talk of them raising the price. Remember the old 5&10? Guess we'll be headed back in that direction, only instead of 5&10 cents, it will be $5&10. Playing the "stay one step ahead" game has kept me on my toes all these years. I confess, I enjoy it.

Ever Stop To Think?

That's a joke on a t-shirt--"Ever stop to think and find you can't get started again?" That's where I'm at this week. We were so busy last month, but after arriving back home I have been at loose ends and trying to tie things back together isn't working too well. I get up, have breakfast, do the shower, get dressed, and what? Maybe too many options-- I'm having trouble deciding what to do each day. Before, there were deadlines--all those wedding favors and welcome bags had to be put together, and the dresses had to be sewed. Now it is all a little vague, and I find myself diddling the day away. It seems too early to start on the Christmas list, although with the sultry days we have been having, going to the AC'd mall would not be a bad idea. I do need another dress for the wedding that we are attending in October (this is the year of weddings!). There are still dolls unfinished in their respective boxes waiting for heads and clothes, but none of that is calling to me. Maybe I just have to sit still and listen for that "still small voice", and just enjoy the drift for a bit. How many people have that luxury? Before I know it, it will be crazy again, and I won't have appreciated this quiet time. So--maybe a dvd and a few rows on the knitting....

Rochester Reunion

I confess I never think of our family as large, but now that they are all coming with spouses, and children, and significant others, it adds up to quite a few folk when we are all in one place, which I may add, doesn't happen more than a couple of times a year. The occasion was a happy one--a wedding. The bride and groom are true optimists, and had planned the whole thing for outside. The weather cleared up not too long before the festivities began, and we all enjoyed ourselves outdoors--rehearsal dinner right on the Erie Canal, complete with canal boats riding by, and dinner al fresco on the patio.

The main even was held in a beautiful garden, and the reception was also on a patio. The weather was just right--not too hot, not too cold, and was made extra special by all the out of town guests who were present. There were baskets of rose petals for the bride to tread on that did double duty as entertainment for the children after the ceremony. The dancing went on into the night, and when MyTreasure and myself finally decided to call it quits, it went on without us. Some of my "children" are pretty good dancers--something that we don't see at a family dinner. Maybe we should start adding that as an after dinner activity. On Sunday we were pretty tired, but still had two more parties ahead of us. By Monday, everyone had taken off, and I was happy to get into my car and not have to talk to anybody. Conversation can be tiring! Indeed, there was much catching up to do with cousins that we see infrequently, and it was wonderful to see them all well and happy. Thank heavens they are all willing to travel, because they make family gatherings extra special.

Congratulations, Rickybobbie! May your marriage be as wonderful as your wedding, and we wish you both the best in your new life together.