Red Knicker Day

So, yesterday I was proven right in my predictions regarding my future with the TGC.

In order to do Special Projects for TGC I will have to submit a Request Proposal Form, in other words; I have to bid. When this decision was made and presented to me at the end of September 2009, I thought of this immediately... as an Independent Contractor I'd have no 'sway' or 'special relationship' with the organization, and who was to say that there would be a time when the Powers That Be would want to go outside of me for jobs they'd want done. And I was completely up front in saying that there are people out there who do these things (PR/Marketing plans, website design & upkeep, forms & fliers) who do it for a real living... it is all they do and they are professionals and will do a better job, at likely a higher price but in less time.

I smelled the dog, I knew this was coming -- as I think more about it this morning I'm so very very glad it came faster than later. When I was getting dressed yesterday I put on my red knickers.

Back in Scotland, some of the best training I have ever had was with a woman who had been contracted by Creative Memories to do Direct Sales training, Barbara Sharples. And she once said, "Women who wear Red Knickers rule the world." So, whenever I have a day coming that I know will hold special and unique challenges, I put on my red knickers. Yes, yesterday was a Red Knicker Day. (Translation: Knickers = Underwear, panties, lingerie)

I'm actually relieved. I feel free to say no. I still have a slightly bitter aftertaste in my mouth about how this whole thing came about... but now this meal is over, and I can truly move on. My prediction is that in 6 - 9 months things will be very different in the organization, not for the better.

In Other News:
I've picked up a second craft class (YAY) which is more money... And I now have a voice student who insists on paying me as well. (YAY YAY!!). So, I know that God is out there ~ and I just have to continue to Wait on Him, Trust Him, have Faith that where I am is where I'm supposed to be, and continue pursuing playing with the gifts and blessings He's given me. YEAH!

eta: correct spelling

'Tis The Season!

The concert is over... it was beautiful as usual! Our parent volunteers who co-ordinate the entire thing are awesome. My work is all the run up to the actual day... on the day I bring the money for change for the box office & flowers; and I bring the programs... then I sit around and chat to the fun parents... mollify the uncool parents... and stand around looking official... letting everyone see that Staff is at least a presence. I also watch the box office during the show ~ because we often have quite a few latecomers -- even in the 2nd half!
* * * * *
So -- I got up at 10:30 am yesterday and made my list for CRAFT DAY at T's:

Goal #1: Finish Mom's Christmas Present. I don't think she remembers to read this blog very often (or else I'd have more embarrassing comments ;-), but just in case... I got half done Friday night (very very pleased with myself!) and think I can knock the rest out today.

Goal #2: 25 ornaments made. This may be a little optimistic... but whatever.

To Take (In my HUGE black rolling suitcase, no less):

• Plain Glass Ornaments (to decorate) check
• Beading Supplies check
• Bewjeweller & crystals check
• Hot Glue Gun check
• Quick Cutz Die Cut tool & Dies check

In my other rolling cart:

• Some scrapbooking embellishments check
• Embossing Gun, poweders and ink check
• Glitter & Aleen's Craft Glue check
• 3 different kinds of hole punches check
• The stamps I use to decorate the glass ornaments check
• Scrapbook Paper to stamp on ... still looking at what I have... may need a Michael's run
• Cotton Swabs & styrofoam bowls to hold the glue check
• Fancy Scissors check
• Personal Trimmer check
• Adhesive Options: Zig Pens (2), Tombo mono-glue runner (2), Xyron "X", Zots (3 sizes), Double sided mounting tape, -- plus the aforementioned hot glue & Aleen's Craft Glue, Pop-dots (3 different varietes!)
• Tulle Net (for ribbons on cards) check
• All My Ribbon (2 containers full) check
• Colored Pencils check
• Stamp cleaning Supplies check
• brushes for watercolor pencils check
• Sponges for stamping check
• Extension cord -- cuz they always come in handy!
  

I still don't have packed:

• Watercolor Pencils
• Chalks & hairspray (to "set" the chalk with)
• cardstock - plain and colored

You would think, after this list... that my craft room and supplies would be empty. But no.

It is hard for me to stay focused on the one task at hand. I've got a few ideas for the ornaments -- but really should stick with one or two at the most...! I also want to make little tags for each ornament with the person's name and year on it -- I have the tag-maker (a brand new punch from CM!) now, which I'm looking forward to trying out.

Oh the obsession...

I still want to make the circle/triangle paper ornaments again, cuz T bought a Sizzix die that cuts and scores the circles -- which will save MOUNTAINS of time to make them!
* * * * *
I won't have time today to post the recipes or photos of the cookies -- but on Thursday night I made "Bill's Magic Cookie Bars" and "Raspberry Oatmeal Bars" -- I forgot the flour in the raspberry bars. They look funny but taste good! the 'magic' cookie bars need some modification before they get given away to anyone ~ but they taste yum-mmmeee!!

So -- I've made 7 cookies (8 if you count the 'bark') in the '25 days of Christmas Cookies' so far... with the concert over I should have the energy to do a few more this week. The weekend will be at mom's ~ and she may be up for doing some of the roll-out cookies... I'll bring up my new awesome non-stick rolling pin! :D

Happy Crafting & Cookie Cooking to all....

My Week

I don't remember much, to be honest...

I went in late on Monday -- (which is been approved, and is a habit I'm trying to keep) -- but have been hustling ever since.

Work is crazy busy with end of the year stuff -- who will be coming back to chorus. How do we communicate the increase of tuition and new payment system (quarterly rather than monthly). Auditions are coming... need to make sure all the small details we've thought of ever since the last audition gets included. I had a dream night before last about re-wording some of the information -- that when you join the Tucson Girls Chorus you're investing in your daughter as well as the organization... it isn't just dropping your kid off for an hour or so every week... and the ROI (Return On Investment) is the growth and confidence built that you see in your daughter.

There's making sure all 120 families are caught up on their accounts -- which is a nightmare because our accounting system is a screwed up mess -- it confuses everyone, including us... so trying to explain to parents is just a nightmare. bleh.

Then there's the program layout -- which I love doing but takes a million hours and I condense it into half a million. And the flyer distribution to the zillions of schools in the 7 districts that are in town... and getting it together for parents to come and deliver a handful of flyers to their local schools --

Ahh... you'd think I've only been working.

And mostly I have. Was in today from 11:30 to 8:20. And I'll be there tomorrow... and no going in late on Monday this week. :-(

Our van was broken into and someone(s) attempted to steal it Wednesday night/Thursday morning -- so Thursday was pretty much shot dealing with Police, Insurance, Car Rental and my wonderful himself who, the night before had finished smoking all his cigarettes and bought nicotine gum and is quitting smoking... great for him to find out Thursday morning about the van.

Dog didn't make a sound.

I did work out twice this week, and went and visited a small singing group called "Desert Tones" -- it was fun, low-key... this small group of women gave our girls a substantial donation -- and with the challenges we're running into in the tour cost for the Advanced Choir because the dollar has taken such a dive, along with the rising cost of fuel, well -- lets just say the timing is beautiful.

May 2oth... that is when I can breathe.

Not Feeling Creative

I don't have anything I feel compelled to say...

Am taking tomorrow sort of off -- but have to run errands for work - mail, mostly... and finish up some thank you letter's. I plan to go to the office to wrap himself's presents... actually have a Gi-normous list of things to do tomorrow... did deliver the Table Saw (main prezzie for himself) tonight -- he's gonna have 3 days before Christmas with which to play with it, so it doesn't make sense to wait until Christmas day to give it to him. My big present is a new car stereo -- YAY!! The CD player in my car is very tempermental. It will take the CD but not play. Or eject. The radio doesn't get to play either... so I'm getting one that has an ipod doo-hickey, and something I can hook my mini-disc up to, too... So I'm excited.

Himself got the shelves up in my room, and I want to get that organized... I love finding homes for my beloved craft goodies.

Had celebratory lunch with office co-workers at Great Wall of China -- pretty good - yummy potstickers and crabpuffs. I love crabpuffs. I found fun socks, (I love fun footwear), Lindor chocolate (Love Lindor chocolate - Milk Chocolate please), large silver initial ornaments, pretty gift boxes, and my ornaments -- everyone got the same thing, slightly different versions. They seemed to like it.

I'm feeling really behind -- so many things I was going to do differently this Christmas, like craft all year long -- ha! Moving wasn't part of the plan, so that threw a wrench in it. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Not sure what family will be here, I'm supposed to be checking out hotel availability & prices, but haven't -- work has been so busy and I've been really pooped... staying up late but not accomplishing much. Typical.

The TGC Winter Concert was really excellent. We almost sold out! We leave the year with $10,000 in the bank, so things are looking up compared to this time last year, I'm told. I'm so pleased. I love my job, love the folks I work with, and love what the organization is all about.

Not sure what I'm going to do yet to keep myself singing, though. Very torn, divided and on the fence about it. Going to Scottsdale twice a month would give me the opportunity to see mom more often -- and my frustrations would be less in some respects. Staying and singing with what I call 'my' chorus at this time is an opportunity that only comes like every 30 years... when we have the chance to actually win this region's contest, and I like the thought of being a part of that. And I can't afford to go to Hawaii this year for International.

And I thought I had nothing to write about!

Just for Coffee Gal ;-)

It's not a lot but:

I've been sick with a cold/sinus thing since my Root Canal Dec 14th

I have another Dentist appointment tomorrow to get at least 2 (maybe more) cavities done.

I have a Dentist appointment *next* Thursday for Root Canal & Crown #2

The permanent crown I had put on last week is wonderful -- that temporary crown really sucked.

I just pulled a literal all-nighter putting together the TGC Winter Concert Program in order to get it to the printer for them to be able to start printing this morning. Yes -- I left the TGC office this morning at 4:45 am -- heard Mrs. Grant & Bobby Rich at 94.9 MixFM start the morning show at 5:08 am with a review of the Impossible Question ~ which, by the way, was answered by my friend Gail, who sings fabulous bass with Tucson Desert Harmony Chorus & "Havin' A Blast" quartet. So cool! [The question was - 2 or 3 new ones of these are created every day, and there are tens of thousands around the world - what is it? Answer: Religions. Kinda scary...]

My card reader isn't working, so I can't get pictures off my camera. Hate when that happens.

Had a craft class last Saturday - spent 2 nights prepping with my friend T, who punched 240 circles and scored 240 triangles within the circles while I finished up the Perpetual Calendar project, which was suppose to be a 4 month on-going project and turned into 6 months. ack.
The class was one of the hardest they've done -- a simple project that is not easy... making a Christmas ornament from the circles -- and if I could get the pictures off my camera I'd post some!

The Saturday before that I sang at the Fellowship Square Villa 2 Tree Decorating Party ~ led a sing-a-long which was way fun... always is!

This Saturday is the TGC Concert, so I'm up to my ears at work....

We've moved -- and I'll post the drama later. We've painted two of the 3 walls that will be painted in the kitchen - a 'lemon fluff neon-in-the-wrong-light yellow' -- and hopefully himself will do what needs to be done to get the fridge moved to the new location, which will allow us to purchase a pantry type storage, paint the 3rd wall, and then allow me to really get the kitchen put together and get the massive boxes that are sitting on the dining table cleared.

I have 3 fabulous shelves in the craft room.... need about a dozen more, but I actually worked in the room for the craft class and just need to tweek some craft homes for my supplies.

In the meantime, I'm not sure when I'm going to get our tree up -- our front door and front closet (which holds the Christmas stuff) are blocked by dining room chairs, there are still boxes in the middle of the living room and nothing really put away yet... so I don't want to decorate it now, which is making me a little sad... last year my Christmas stuff didn't come down until March. All I'm saying is if I don't get it up sooner than later we might run into the same issues....

I'm re-committing to eating healthier ~ went online and looked for natural remedies and holistic approaches to sinus infections ~ and did you know that often times (according to Chinese Medicine) sinus issues are related to constipation (another area of the body that is blocked) and Candida - abundance of yeast... directly related to too much sugar. So I went out and bought Soy Milk, Stevia and ginger -- made some ginger, lemon & honey tea, am taking garlic pills, cutting down on the fruit juices and diluting with water, and while having a whole night of non-sleep hasn't made me feel better today, at least I'm breathing out of both nostrils most of the time now.

Also saw a lot of Craft logs/blogs/forums this weekend and I'm now in crafty mode and want to pursue doing that more than anything else.... could be connected to this time of year, I suppose.

Well... do have to go to work for a little while today -- much to do!

quick update...

There's so much going on and I want to write it all out and share... but man oh man it would take a long time...

So some high points
today, after singing with my new friend *waves at coffeegal*, I was on my way to help distribute polo shirts for the older two choruses for the TGC... and it was at Raytheon's open house - our contact guy had sent two flyers, the address had already been changed, the whole thing has been one headache after another (because of tight security all the no-no's on site....) and there's more, but no time for all that drama now... my point is -- the road into Raytheon from the road we were dictated to enter from was closed.

Yep. So I'm on the road directing/looking out for TGC parents bringing their girls to the performance giving them alternate directions to the place where they're to be singing.... And while it was a beautiful day - it was hot and sunny... I think that is why I might have a big headache right now (and I don't get many headaches..!)

Alls well -- it was just icing on the cake to the week with work that I've had -- which started last Friday.

On more fun notes:
WE ARE HOMEOWNERS.... (or as himself has says, "Don't call me a homeowner, you homeowner...!").

We got the keys Friday - ordered pizza and sat in our new backyard with Rascal, drinking warm diet 7-up... some photos...So Rascal had a ball burying his first chew in the back yard... our pizza was delicious... and now the painful part -- actually moving.

My dad is supposed to be here this week to help himself, who is off for the week -- and oh the plans!!!

There's the latest news --

Dog Days of August

It is hot. hot. hot. hot. And I've been grumpy. Crabby. Whiney. Negative. and Tired.

Seriously nasty weather. The storms have been cool -- but out walking at 6:15 am this morning with himself and it was just humid, hot, and miserable. The gnats are everywhere. In the spa two nights ago I still couldn't escape the fat mosquito who bit my hand. Stupid mosquito.

So I've not written because I've been working lots -- and just coming home and couch potato-ing. I've not cooked, I've not done dishes. I did some laundry, and vacuumed floors and some light dusting (mom in town...).

As of September 1st I'll be full time salary at Tucson Girls Chorus (yay!) -- so I'll be paid for the hours I've been working. Not a huge amount of money, but it should help us get a mortgage.

We're looking slowly into mortgage options -- Quicken Loans I was not impressed with. They'll gouge ( as in "an act of extortion; swindle.") you in closing costs -- like over $5,000.00. Himself looked at that and said, "I think NOT!" So I've got some recommendations from friends and hopefully will have a chance to make a call or two before I go in to work today.

My quartet is doing really well. We're hoping to sing for the chorus next week and get this audition out of our hair - then we can start learning Christmas music :-) That will make me feel cooler, right?

Rascal is great -- such a love of a dog. He is squirmy/scary with strangers still... so am thinking in November we'll get him a private dog tutor (that's not the real word, but you get the idea -- someone to come to our house and work with us -- because you know it has little to do with the dog, this dog training thing!! ;-).

Going to be helping with the SAI Youth In Harmony day-long festival on September 8th -- 7:30 am to 7:00 pm!! Yikes! I believe in the cause, and I think it will be fun...

Planning to scrap this weekend -- and friends have invited us over for dinner on Sunday evening, maybe some poker. We both have Monday off (yay! Salary = paid vacation days for me... OH!! and I get the week between Christmas and New Year's off - paid - AND it doesn't come out of my 'vacation time' -- how cool is that?!?!!?!?!?) Monday will probably be slob around the house day. :D I may venture to the craft stores for sales with coupon in hand... but I really don't need a thing.

So -- with my first big paycheck:
I'm going to get a massage. I'm going to have a pedicure. I'm going to hire some kind of help with the house. All these thoughts make me smile.

'K - going back to sleep for awhile now.