A unique, creative expression- memorial day

Try not to tear up, but let me know if you did-
Britain’s Got Talent: Shadow Theatre Group Attraction

Tis the season!

And it goes so fast...

Tizzie Shirts! www.preppyplayer.com

 Love these shirts!
So well made and flattering.
$90 www.preppyplayer.com

Between a rock and a hard place...

It doesn't look too pretty.
In another week or two I wont be able to see the ugly, forlorn rock in my neighbor's yard because soon the bushes and trees will fill in.

And that's too bad.

You may wonder why I like the view of that rock and I can't blame you. It may surprise you to know that whenever I look out my kitchen window and see that rock- I smile.

The reason?

Whenever I see that rock I think back to when I was a young mother with two little boys. My husband and I were young and had no money but we were lucky and resourceful enough to buy a condo in what had been an apartment complex.

 We are talking bare bones condo. There was a big common area that all the kids played in, it did not constitute a park or playground by any definition. At any time of the day there would be moms sitting in lawn chairs and children outside playing, so for us? It was the park.

In the far corner of the property was a big huge rock.
That big, huge rock?
The. Center. Of. The. Universe. ( at least in our children's eyes)

So many games and memories centered around that rock.
It was base for tag.
It was the starting place for hide and go seek.
It was where they played king of the hill.
Lots of games of chase around that rock!
Many jumping contests were launched from that rock...

So many memories of both my older son's sweet childhood include, "the Rock."

Selling "down the shore!"

Set up a pop up shop in Red Bank, NJ this week. Thanks to a vendor friend that lives in Rumson, NJ I was able to be scheduled in as they are booked with vendors for the next year!

So, Red Bank is an hour away from where I live ( without traffic) but interestingly enough I knew more people at this club than I do when I sell in my own area! Lots of horse people, lacrosse folks, and junior league members...

It's been fun and I've done very well. Only problem all my Spring and Summer is in and it is freezing out ! In sure I would have sold a ton more if it had been nice out and people felt the push to get some warm weather clothes.

Didn't sell much jewelry or bags but sold a ton of shirts. I'm happy about that because I'm getting ready to place another order!

The shirts are awesome and look great on everyone thanks to the cotton stretch blend. A couple more hours to go and then time to head back up north.

Cooperative effort

The holidays get better and better.

Every year I realize that it could be the last that I don't have to share my children- they aren't alternating holidays with in-laws or they don't live too far away to come home.

Also,
Our holidays are more of a group effort. My husband and I now have help! For so many years it was just the two of us doing all the work.

This year was especially good. So relaxing and enjoyable.

Day tripping?

Loading these babies today $35!

He still looks good...

Basketball games can be physical.

Love my PS22 choir! Pure, sweet voices.

Scout wristlets vs. Vera Bradley wristlets

Let's compare, shall we?

Scout Tote-all :

Size: 5.25in.(W) x 3.25in.(H) x 1in.(D

Big enough for any cell phone

ID slot

Inside pocket

Outside velcro pocket

Water resistant

Coated cotton

$20 on www.preppyplayer.com

Vera Bradley Carry It All Wristlet:

3¼" x 5½" x ¾" 

Zip-around 

Four card slots

Zippered coin pouch

ID window and a bill slot

Designed to fit large mobile phones

$42.00 on http://www.verabradley.com

Obviously I am biased as I do sell Bungalow Scout wristlets.... I feel as though Scout wristlets are for sporty, active girls. They work in a gym bag, lax bag or back pack. 

By virtue of the water resistant material they are made of-  they can go anywhere!

Certainly you don"t want to throw them overboard or in the pool- but they can tolerate a splash of water or a spilled soda.

Vera Bradley does top Scout in that there are 34 designs to choose from. I sell 4.

BUT, Scout wristlets are $20

Vera Bradley?

$42

Enough said?

transition-

It sure was awesome skiing in Utah last month.
As many of you know my family has lived there for the last 30 years and I consider it my second home.
But this year was different.
Usually we have a group skiing. My husband, kids, my sister, her kids, maybe another sister and her kids....
This year?
Just a few of us.
Normally,  the large group of us get there 8am. We ski and ski. We stop for a cookie and coffee and then ski some more. We eat a late, lingering lunch-  complete with beer and wine, and then ski until the place closes.

This year?

My sister was nice enough to drive, but we get there at 10:30 and are done by 3:00...
And why not?

There are three of us. We ski so many more runs when you are not in a big group. we skied and skied. Short lunch. Probably did more skiing than usual.

It still was sad.

I missed the old days of our big groups and tail gates after, all our apres-de-ski stories and comparisons.
I thought I loved skiing. I now know I love skiing with my family and friends and that it isnt the same without them

In the future?

I won't be going to Utah again without my posse.

Manners/analogies

Once a week I go to puppy school with little LuLu. 

We, and the emphasis is on we are learning about animal behavior, positive reinforcement, pack mentality, establishing who is the leader/the boss, and so much more.

The most important lessons I come away with each week is that a puppy with good manners/behaviour is a puppy people want to be around, that training a puppy is a lot of consistency, repetitiveness, and hard work.

AND? 

There are no bad dogs, just bad owners.

Which leads me to thinking about parents and children. 

Very often I notice children with bad manners. The parents must not notice the dirty looks from other adults. They must not realize that their children aren't asked on play dates or to many parties, or included in plans other mothers make for afternoon excursions. They must excuse complaints from teachers, grandparents, aunts and uncles.

The parents of bad mannered children must not notice that most other children do not run around stores, interrupt conversations, take food without asking, ignore adult directions. They must not notice that well mannered children always say thank you and please, do not correct adults, accept gifts with a thank you (even if they would rather have something else), help when they see an adult carrying in groceries, or clearing a table.

And I feel the same way about children with bad manners as I do about puppies when we leave puppy school...

That there are no bad children, just lazy parents.

That a child with good manners and social skills is a child people want to be around. That making sure you have a well mannered child is a lot of consistent, repetitive, hard work.

In on the joke

I sell pillows.
During the winter I sell holiday and ski theme pillows. People love them and I sell quite a lot.
What I really should say is women love them because that is whom primarily buy them from me.

The first week in February I start to get in my Summer/Spring pillows. They are beach and animal themed. They sell well as the weather gets warmer. People tend to give them as hostess gifts as a thank you for a stay at a beach house or as a housewarming gift for a newly purchased summer home.
Because of this I tend to bring the pillows to events in April and on.

For some reason I brought a few pillows to a gym I was selling at the week before Valentines day, I think I was in the mood for Spring and the pillows made me feel as though we are getting closer...

Well, thank goodness I did because I wouldn't have had a charming story to share:

I had just set up my table when an elderly gentleman walked up and started chuckling.

I said, "Ok what's so funny about my table?!"

He said," Its not your table, its my wife, I mean your pillow!"

I said, "Huh? What?" Ok, you got to explain that one!"

He laughed a little bit more and picked up the long pillow that said LIVE BAIT.

He went onto explain,
You see, my wife is a very pretty, sweet, and proper lady and I love her to death. She still continues to surprise and amaze me every day and every once in awhile?
She REALLY surprises me!
One day we were driving up to our lake house for a day of fishing and I saw a fish and tackle store, it had a big sign, LIVE BAIT.  I said to my wife, "Oh look honey, Live bait. Should we stop and get some?"
 She looked at me, shook her head and said, "There was a time where I was considered LIVE BAIT!"
And then she burst out laughing. Well, we both laughed for awhile. So when I saw this pillow it made me laugh reminding me that my pretty and proper wife can still surprise me.

He put the pillow back and made his way out the door still smiling and I had a smile too as that was a nice way to begin my day of work.

About three hours later there he was back again! He explained that he had gone to work and thought about it, the pillow would be a perfect valentines gift for his wife, it would be their private joke and a way to let her know that he thought she still was LIVE BAIT! He bought the pillow smiling from ear to ear.

This little encounter made my day and now you too, are in on their inside joke.

It's that time of year!

Just got back from Utah.
Did a little skiing, it was COLD!
Did a little selling, always fun there.
Did some visiting, great to see family and friends. ( especially you Somer!)

Did miss my family.
Did miss my new little puppy.
Did miss playing some paddle.

And now I'm back!
For me?  How ever long I'm gone is how long it takes me to get caught up and back to normal.
I have three more days and then NO excuses.

Scout Lacrosse Stick Bags are in!

www.preppyplayer.com

February Angel

My grandmother gave me one of these for my birthday when I was about six years-old. I cherished it and kept it for many, many years.

When I was little I always felt like a new year began on my birthday, I guess it was before New Years held any significance other than my parent's yearly parties. And even though New Years is more of a clean slate time of year for most people, I still feel my "clean slate" is my birthday!

So I am starting off my new year today, on my birthday.
here are my goals:

1. more organized
2. BLOG
3. work on web site more
4. yoga/gym more
5. puppy school
6. take care of myself more- nails, hair, doctors
7. reach out to friends and family more
8. pay more attention to my husband :)
9. be selective with work
10. donate time more

Oh, and are you wondering about #5?

This our new member of the family and our February Angel!

LuLu

She is a 12 week-old Jack Russell terrier. 

So far, so good.

She is delightful and very well behaved. that might have something to do with crate training and the 5 to 10 walks a day she goes on...

Like the old Irish lady I met at Petco said to me, " A Jack Russell? You'll never be fat ." 

Happy Friday! You're welcome.

I Knew You Were Trouble - WALK OFF THE EARTH Feat.

I'm at it.

I was a vendor at the New York City Boat Show all of last week...

 It was amaze balls.

 In all seriousness? It was pretty interesting.

 Still a lot of rich people out there. Mostly Russian!

 A lot of people still recovering from Hurricane Sandy. They came to the show to... look.

 Saw many customers of mine from Horse shows, lacrosse tourneys and fundraisers.

 Met many, MANY nice people.

 Sold a TON of swim dresses and Tizzie shirts.

Sold a lot of nautical jewelry....

And pillows? You bet!

Happy Friday!

What an opportunist!

Don't know these two but that could have definitely happened in my house.

I think it would have been the year my children were 6 months, 2 1/2 years-old, 8 years-old, 11 and 12 years-old.
That year is a blur, was a whirlwind/crazy time...
And?
Always puts a smile on my face.
In the way that picture does.
A mixture of cute, funny, and... disturbing.

Not really.

Ok.
My blog is as far from sexy as possible but I plan on being more active in the next few weeks...
So don't give up on me!

Do you need to laugh? Happy Monday :)

Don't wait until Christmas morning...

to be THIS excited!

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