« March 2005 | Main | May 2005 »
April 26, 2005
The New Venture
I have decided to open a booth at the local antiques mall. This way I can stay home with Derek a lot longer than if I didn't have a new venture.
It has become kind of apparent that I need to have some sort of income in order to maintain my "stay-at-home-Mom" status. The local antique mall had a sign that said, "Looking for new vendors" so I asked about it. I don't even need a business license! (They sell under their license.) I don't need to man my own booth (they have their own employees.) I just pay a fixed amount per month plus ten percent of my sales.
I am now eagerly hunting out items to sell, even if it means picking through other people's garbage sometimes (amazing what some people will throw away!) I like the idea of recycling. If it keeps things out of the landfills, and helps antique stuff find new homes I think it's great!
So far, I have found a wooden wall shelf (but I'm keeping that for my Julips, they have overrun their stableyard) and a really nifty stool that would make a great plant stand.
I also found an old wicker chair, but I had to pay for that, as it was in a consignment shop. I should be able to make a small profit on it, though.
I have decided to specialize in horse-related stuff, like old saddles and photographs and memoribilia. I will also have lots of old furniture and knick-knacks.
I hope to make money and do something I love-shop at flea markets and garage sales!
My booth opens on June 1st.
Posted by Jessica at 09:35 PM | Comments (3)
April 20, 2005
Grocery Payola
Remember the radio station payola scandal? Well, this same sort of thing happens every day in your local grocery store...
As I pushed Derek along in the shopping cart at our local grocery, we cruised down the "baby stuff" aisle so that I could pick up some diapers. A store employee was removing boxes of Derek's favourite disolvable baby cookies and placing them in a bin.
I said to Derek, "She's taking all of your cookies!"
I asked the woman what they were doing with the cookies, and she said that they were removing them from the store shelves because the company that made them hadn't paid to have them on the shelves this quarter. The shelf space would be turned over to a rival brand who had paid "rent."
She told me that I could buy the cookies until they took them out of the computer at the end of the day, so I bought two boxes. The employee said she wasn't sure when the cookies would be stocked again.
Posted by Jessica at 08:28 PM | Comments (0)
April 15, 2005
Derek's First Appearance Onstage
This is a souvenir photo of Derek and myself at his recent try for "Cute Baby" fashion model status!
I was hoping to get some scholarship money for him (college is expensive!) but as you can see, he wasn't in Full Cuteness mode. He wanted a nap and some lunch (not necessarily in that order!)
He normally is a very outgoing and playful little guy who smiles all the time, so I thought that with his Gerber Baby looks and great personality that he'd win for sure!
I still think he's the Cutest Baby Ever! And we do have this lovely photo and a souvenir t-shirt for his attempt.
Fame is fleeting!
Posted by Jessica at 12:38 AM | Comments (0)
April 12, 2005
Meet Refundio!
"Refundio" was brought to you by the 2004 Federal Tax Refund!
Actually, he is being brought to ME! I am thrilled! I found him on eBay and I was only able to bid on him due to the large tax refund we received this year. Brian bought a sword, so we decided that I could get a Julip for my stable. We still have money left over for our rainy day fund, too.
I am researching a good Spanish-sounding name for him, as I think he'll make a great Lusitano. I think he'll always have the nickname "Refundio" though!
Posted by Jessica at 04:47 PM | Comments (0)
April 11, 2005
Nance's Spring Vacation
Nancy poses with a descendant of one of Hemingway's cats at the Hemingway house in Key West.
I have always wanted to meet these cats ever since my grandma sent me a newspaper clipping about them when I was very young. (She sent all sorts of strange things along with her letters, including coupons for items we never used and weird clippings from magazines!)
I really miss getting those letters from her! When she found out I collected postage stamps, she would send me prodigious quantities of them, including many duplicates, that she took off of the letters from her many correspondences.
Nance had a great time down in Florida, and sent me lots of photos. I'd be jealous, but the weather has been very warm here in Michigan, and Brian and I have been going on lots of walks with Derek. It's been great!
Posted by Jessica at 11:20 PM | Comments (1)
April 08, 2005
Brand New!
Here is the newest Gypsy Vanner in this corner of the world! He was born on April 6!
I hope to get out to his stable to visit him soon! He's adorable! His name is Oisin. I secretly wish he would end up in my stable!
Speaking of adorable babies, my adorable baby got his first pair of shoes today! Grandma wanted to purchase them for him, so we all went to a local mall and picked them out. Derek has such big feet that he wears a size 4 1/2 XXW! We could only find one pair of shoes that fit. Fortunately, they are cute ones.
Derek just loves shopping. We push him around in a stroller and he giggles and smiles at all of the people and sights that he sees. He is the happiest baby ever! And he has a really wonderful Grandma who loves to play with him. He is a very lucky baby!
Posted by Jessica at 10:22 PM | Comments (1)