It's Time to Put My Big Girl Panties On

Why? Other than looking awesome like Grandma Moses, we are taking this show on the road. Jetty and I are heading to the Seattle Wholesale Gift Show at the end of August. We have a fellow rockin Alaska jewelry designer along with us and we will be wowing Seattle and Portland with 2 trunk shows and our debut wholesaling to the greater Northwest. Pretty intense actually. Loads of paperwork to submit. Displays to flame proof (yeah, I said it. Flame proof.). And inventory to have ready. This is exactly what we've been waiting for, but that doesn't make it any less stressful. The schedule for the next few months: Tanana State Fair Aug 7-15, Seattle Aug 19-26, Fairbanks First Friday Sept 4 - 5, Fairbanks Holiday Show Nov 13 - 15...and then there's Christmas....And then we take a vacation.

Run Chubbs, Run!

I bought a $100 pair of shoes a few weeks ago and didn't even care what they looked like. And maybe I should have - because they are a bit orthepedic and stark white. But! They help with the running. Yup. We've been running an average of 3 times a week and I've slowly managed to triple my starting distance before my lungs implode and/or my legs fall off. And the distance I a up to? ALmost 3/4 of a mile at a time. I know, I know. Totally marathon bound by the fall, but I'm out there and doing it. Pretty proud. And pretty sure I will rock a 5k by the end of summer. Who knew eh?

Profound Thoughts

I haven't been posting as often as I would like as I feel like all I have to say are whiney things. Bitch about this. Crab about that. And talk about how rude people are getting. But it's true. Go to the super market and count how any times someone stops right in front of you, or forces you to move out of their way while they take up 3/4 of an aisle. People are so *not* self aware. The universe does not revolve around you, please keep that in mind and stop being a jackass.

Now, I realize that I have becomesfiercely (bordering on offensively) opinionated in my old age, but has no one ever told these people that it is not appropriate? Because what ever happened to customer service? Being a decent human being? Helping others? And in general not being a dick? I just don't understand.....

the 3/50 Project

I couldn't have said it better myself. Spread the word.

Mira gets mobile

Our newest munchkin Mira has been a challenge from the beginning...as my 5th ferret, I think I know what I'm doing...but she is proving me wrong or has a chip loose somewhere....and it definitely didn't help when she bit G in the face her first month here. We have taken all of the levels out of the cage so she doesn't benchpress them....and have put little fuzzy balls in to keep her occupied when not out. And last night we aquired a large hamster ball. The kind meant for ferts. And omg, it's a hoot! She doesn't know how to walk in it so just rolls around like a drunk woodchuck. Already Houdini'ed herself out once....but we're hopeful she'll get the hang of it so she can be out more often.

Jetty will be over momentarily to do some distance reiki which seems to help.....But in the meantime she is sucking on Sausage's ear.

Earthquakes make my tummy hurt.

So not only are we constantly following the activity of this volcano that keeps steaming and puking, but now we've got earthquakes that we can feel. Ugh! As it is Alaska has quite a few earthquakes a day - run over to the AEIC to see how many we get in a 48 hour period. We just had a 4.7 that shook a bit around. It's those first few nanoseconds where you wonder if this is 'the big one' and whether or not you need to run screaming from the building. I also wonder when strangers are around me whether or not I would want to be stuck in the rubble with them. And this isn't just when we are shaking, but in elevators, at restaurants, etc. Would I want to cling to this person for life or would they bug the shit out of me?

That's probably pretty terrible to say right?

I *will* conquer the bread....

I'm not sure that I could ever live without bread. And by that I mean, fresh baked french bread or something similar. I honestly cannot be held reponsible if you stand between me and a still warm baguette....It could get ugly. But since we're trying to live a little more "off the grid" and be more self sufficient, I'm trying to master making my own bread. Wheat bread. But after many attempts of nastiness and a failed batch from a fellow bread maker that came out like mud, I think I have it figured out. Easiest recipe ever and fluffy, half wheat half white bread. Can you hear the angels singing?

1 1/2 tbs dry active yeast (is it really advisable to use the non active stuff?)
1 1/2 tbs kosher salt
3 cups lukewarm water
3 1/2 cups wheat pastry flour
3 cups white flour

Mix it all up and let it sit on your counter for about 2 hours. Punch the dough down again with a little kneading, and let rise again for another 2 or so hours. Punch down and knead and place in bread pan or whatever you would like to bake it all up in, and let rise again to desired height (another 2 or so hours). At this point those little yeasties have worked purty hard and should make a lovely bread. Bake @ 350 for about 45 minutes.

*drool*

Earthquakes, Bears, Volcanoes, Oh my...

Mt Redoubt has been rumbling for a few months now but has finally started to blow it's load. Flights are cancelled, mail isn't moving, and we finally got ashfall today. Driving around in our beater car (277,500 miles) and realizing 'huh, this isn't fog is it...?' Now we are safe at home and all the new electronic toys are covered just in case and a small pyrex dish sits in the driveway to catch the ash. Hooray! Aren't these pictures of the eruption crazy?? Lightning! Wow! I really had no idea we had the possibility for so many natural disasters when I moved here. Seriously. Tsunami, Earthquakes, erupting volcanoes, wild animals....Who knew? For realz.

If I venture out and wear my sexy mask I will be sure to be the envy of all who see me....

Back from the 'Banks

Jetty Mae and I took the ever so loverly road trip up to Fairbanks (approx 6 hours) for the Women's Show. *le sigh* Those be my peeps. Always good to see the folks who remember us from year to year and tell us how they are collecting our jewelry. It makes my heart go pitter patter...sort of like prom night. But without the ripped dress. Anyhoodle! Our first night in the hotel was spent with a hockey team (see? I knew you were wondering where I was going with the ripped prom dress thing)...in the room directly above us. I think they were practicing their skating on the floor or perhaps checking each other into the wall.....But Goddess bless the front desk clerks and the manager for changing our room the next night and refunding our monies. Yay!

Today has been spent tying up loose ends and crunching numbers and making multiple trips to the bank. I know. It would be so much easier if I did all my maths first, but I like to keep stashing little bits of cash away at a time. Ha! Soon I will be toddling down to the bookstore to sell them some old books, and if I can't control myself (which is totally probable) I will come home with some more. Sshhh...Don't tell G.