Winter CHA 2010 Highlights

Whew, back from CHA - a whirlwind week, home again to the glamour of laundry, bills and food shopping! This show was great, a much more positive atmosphere than the last two shows and store owners were excited about new products. Check out the latest new products at Ranger. Here are some photos from the show. I don't have a lot of photos as I dropped my camera on the show floor and it is no longer working, bummer. Now to find a camera repair shop . . . sigh.

Prepping for CHA Winter Show

It has been a very busy couple weeks getting last minute tasks done for CHA. The big deadline is always the booth ship date and it went out last Friday-whew! Here are some Stickles card projects I worked on for a booth display. Had some issues with my shoulder swelling because I was doing too much, so I had to back off a bit. It's funny how when you start feeling better, you start doing more than you should!

Spent the weekend getting ahead on school work, finishing another Ranger project for the booth (more on that in another post), and judiciously packing for the show. Packing was a huge challenge because I usually take 2 suitcases, and had to wheedle down to 1 suitcase under 50 pounds. I'm still not allowed to lift anything, so will be doing suitcase dragging with my right arm only. It was a self-satisfying exercise in simplifying but took a lot of time to accomplish.

Check out new Ranger video on inks

Here is the latest video I did for Ranger before my shoulder surgery. It's based on multiple customer service requests to answer basic questions about ink. Enjoy!

Christmas memories

The hustle and bustle of the holidays is settling down and it's nice to have some quiet time to reflect. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were filled with family, too much food and making lots of heartfelt memories.

home life these days

Now on day 18 from shoulder surgery. The first week was a blur due to the heavy-duty painkillers and no sleeping at night. Week two was better, sleeping a couple hours at a time and on painkillers that I could still function with, the past few days much better, sleeping 4 hours at a time at night and getting back to work for Ranger at home a couple hours a day--lots to do to get ready for Winter CHA Tradeshow. Physical therapy is miserable, but necessary three times a week. Pics here of Bailey taken this week sum up my daily routine: work and trying to get rest to heal. Typing with one finger as I'm still in a sling . . .

Tuesday Tunes - Jimmy Buffet at Madison Square Garden

It has been a whirlwind few weeks and I've not had a moment to post. I have just about 10 minutes before Helen will be pulling in my driveway and we race to the train into NYC. We're going to dinner and to see Jimmy Buffet at Madison Square Garden tonight. I've got really good seats and it will be my last concert for awhile since I'm getting shoulder surgery tomorrow morning. Will be good to have a fun evening NOT thinking about tomorrow morning!! I will be home for 6-8 weeks not able to drive, that will be a challenge . . .

I spent this past weekend doing all the last minute things since I will be in a sling for the next 3 weeks. I had to think long and hard about what I could live without as far as decorating for Christmas. So, I put up the tree, put out the nativity, and got all the present wrapping done -- the most important things after all . . . though I will miss all the baking - will be the first time since I was about 5 that I didn't bake for Christmas!

I took these photos of Bailey this morning. He is excited to have his Christmas tree back and a little bit earlier than usual. He is spending his time under the tree and right by it and will until the day it comes down!

Tuesday Tunes-new lyrics Timothy B Schmit

Thought I would share lyrics to a new tune that Timothy B. Schmit wrote for his new album, Expando. This is a tongue-in-cheek song that rings so true for everyone in dealing with that one person (only one if you're lucky)in their life that creates a lot of drama! Good to remember these lyrics when stuck in the midst of one of their emotional outbursts-I'm sure we can all relate . . .

I Don't Mind by Timothy B. Schmit

How come you threaten that you just might go?

Why do you want to pick a fight?

What makes you tick, I swear I don't know

I bet you can't sleep at night.

I never know who you're gonna be today

I always take time to check it out

I only need to get a good look at your face

To see what it's all about

Sometimes without warning

You strike with all your glory

But, I'm able to take a step back

And look around, get on the right track, 'cuz

I don't mind, go ahead and be that way

I don't mind, I'm happy at the end of the day

Well, it's too bad you live with such misery

Everybody knows it loves company

But count me out . . . I'm doing just fine 'cuz, I don't mind

I haven't had a dream for a long, long time

But, last night took me by surprise

Out of the shadows you walked right up to me

Wiping the tears from your eyes

I didn't know what to do so I asked you, "why?"

You opened up your mouth to try to speak

But, you changed your mind and you passed right by

Then I woke up from my troubled sleep

So heavy, the drama

Your self-inflicted trauma

I hope you get a little rest

Meanwhile I wish you my best 'cuz

I don't mind, everybody does what they like

I don't mind, nobody's always right

When you make a big scene and you wanna shout

I will take anything that you're giving out

I can jump through hoops, you can cross that line,

Still, I don't mind!

Everybody's got a little edge that's rough

Everybody needs to piss and moan

There's not a single human that I can think of

That doesn't need some time alone

So when I see you coming and it's looking bad

When I feel you heating up the room

I'll turn the other cheek and I'll be so glad

To avoid the impending doom

I'm lucky . . . my plate's full

Dont mean to sound ungrateful

Any which way that wind blows

You'll be my friend 'cuz you know

I don't mind, go ahead and be that way

I don't mind, I'm happy at the end of the day

Well, it's too bad youlive with such misery

Evetrybody knows it loves company

But, count me out . . . I'm doing just fine 'cuz

I don't mind, I don't mind!

Need concert tickets, link here to the latest through Ticketmaster - yes, I do have an affiliate relationship with Ticketmaster, thanks for linking here!

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Halloween at Ranger

Every year for Halloween, Ranger has a party and many of the gals (and guys too) get dressed up. See the innovative and fun costumes that Debra, Debbie, Michelle, Teresa, Patti and Jackie conjured up!!

Tuesday Tunes-Timothy B. Schmit concert in NYC

It's truly energizing when you meet people who have the same interests as you. So was the case when my friend Helen and I stood in line last Wednesday to see Timothy B. Schmit perform at The Bitter End. Funny how strangers become friends, even if it is temporary, as they are anxiously awaiting seeing a musician whose music has carried them throughout their lifetime. Timothy played The Shadow from his last solo album, Feed The Fire, to begin the night. He played a few Eagles tunes, I Can't Tell You Why, I Don't Want To Hear Any More (from Long Road Out of Eden), and Love Will Keep Us Alive. A treat for me was hearing his Poco hit, Keep On Tryin' as I'd never heard that live before. Timothy also sang most of the songs from his new album, Expando which is a mix of folk rock, blues and country rock. My favorite song from the album is Parachute, with Graham Nash singing back up vocals--awesome music. Here are some pics from the show--I was fortunate to be sitting right in front of the stage, a night I'll never forget . . .

Tuesday Tunes - Timothy B. Schmit in NYC tomorrow

Timothy B. Schmit's new solo album, Expando, was released today! You can hear songs at Timothy's site. I'm feeling very fortunate to have gotten tickets to see Timothy tomorrow night at The Bitter End in Manhattan. My best buddy Helen is going with me--this is so wonderful since she and I have been fans since our teens, trying to play the guitar--strumming and singing to Eagles songs. So psyched for tomorrow night!! More photos of Timothy here are from the Eagles concert Billy and I attended in Dublin while visiting family in June.