Here we are already at the end of November! I am finding it harder to get my new routine under control than I thought. I wrote last month about starting to work outside the home for the first time in 17 years and while I am enjoying it for the most part, there are things that I could do without (cleaning the restrooms and working until 11 pm to name two). I have just adjusted my availability so that I am a little more in control of when I am scheduled and I did have to say to my children (for the first time) that they were right and I was wrong about what it is like to work in retail. I may make it through the holidays, although I did have to work Thanksgiving day from 5 pm to 9 pm and then the following day from 6 pm to 11 pm.
I participated in two Holiday Boutiques this month. One was a two-day affair to benefit Foster Children. Here I am behind my table. Another chance to wear my spiffy hat!
I did pretty well at that show, selling two of my scarves and some cards and mini albums.
The following week I was at a one-day sale. This one I did not do too well at and I heard from a couple of the other vendors that they had done less business than last year and they attributed it to the location. It was held in the local gym and was more difficult to get to than the Senior Center where it had been held in the past. My setup looks similar:
But this time I had a snowman sweater to go along with my hat 🙂 Oddly enough, while I was there I got an order on my Etsy shop for 10 cards and I had to make sure to remove them from the table so they didn’t get picked up.
I did read two more books: “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd” by Agatha Christie and “The Final Summit” by Andy Andrews…
and started a third, “Pure Heart” by Troy Ball, which will be #20 on my challenge this year. Not quite the 25 that I wanted to make but pretty close.
Some of the pictures I got for the 365 pictures include:
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| Our Family Thanksgiving |
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| Really neat lighted golf ball for night golf |
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| Pretty true and I have to start noticing more |
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| Snowman Poop looks kinda like white rabbit pellets |
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| One of the new bicycles that are popping up around town. You can rent them by getting the app on your phone and using them, then leaving them for the next person. |
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| One more reminder of my word of the year, Believe. |
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| When I get in the car to go to work, my phone not only tells me how long it will take to get there but also what is on sale! |
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| Another fun thing sold in the “drive aisle” at work. This is the spot near the check out line so you can pick it up while you wait in line. |
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| And of course, the full moon for November.
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On Thursday I will be doing Planning Day with Jamie Ridler to try and get a handle on what I want to do for next year and in December I will be participating in Susannah Conway’s December Reflections again. Here are the prompts in case you want to play along:
I’ve also gone to several doctors appointments with my husband who is having some heart issues and my 94-year-old mom who had an infected toenail. Sheesh! It’s no wonder I haven’t been able to post more often!
But blogging is one of the things I really enjoy so my goal is to post as much as I can in December and to get a schedule down for next year. Hope you all had a terrific Thanksgiving! Have any plans for the end of the year?
from Blogger http://asmile4ufromjanet.blogspot.com/2017/11/no-it-cant-be-november.html
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About scr4pl80
I'm a 60-ish, married, mom to 3, creative soul looking to make the world a better place one smile at a time.
Janet's Smiles 
That quote on miracles becoming ordinary things grabbed my attention
Very well said. We should all keep it in mind 😉
Amanda ♡♡♡ | http://www.OrganicIsBeautiful.com
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Yes, Amanda. We sometimes forget the wonder of life. I know I do. I’m trying to be more conscious of it. Thanks for stopping by!
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Following your blog 👍☺
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Your hat is indeed spiffy, a word that we don’t use often enough. I think that your merchandizing on your tables is perfect, so if the customers didn’t buy items they’re nuts! 🙂 I don’t know that I could go back into retail, so I consider you an inspiration for doing so. Your Thanksgiving dinner photo is wonderful. You’re lucky to have such a good group around you. Happy December.
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Thanks Ally. We were able to have a nice Thanksgiving dinner together and I am grateful for that. I am not sure what the problem was at the craft show. I don’t think my items are unreasonably priced and honestly some people just look and walk on, so they don’t even know how much things cost because while they are marked, it is usually on the back. Oh well, not giving up that’s for sure. Happy December to you too. Does it seem like this year went by particularly quickly?
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You are a busy, busy lady! I’m sure the next month is going to be just as crazy as the last. I’m sure you will survive it, but remember to take care of yourself, too. Sending you lots of strength and endurance thoughts! Dawn
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Thanks Dawn! I am going to try and stick it out until at least March when I turn 63 but I am really missing my crafty time already.
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Beautiful products and pictures. You should be totally commended for managing everything all at the same time, especially with a new job in the retail world.
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Thanks Jay. Perhaps my years of motherhood and juggling 3 kids and a husband with health issues all our married life has helped 🙂
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that makes a lot of sense
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That’s a great shot of the moon!
Retail can be grueling, especially at the holidays. And staying til 11?!? You have my sympathy. I’m glad you adjusted your availability!
The craft sales had you smiling. Love the hat! I worked a craft fair a few weekends ago. Helped raise money for the performing arts department. I walked around selling raffle tickets. It wasn’t near as boring as sitting around waiting, which seems to be what most volunteers did. I talked to some really nice people that day, making it much more pleasant than expected.
My parents had, may still have, I’m not sure, that Agatha Christie collection. I’d recognize that from a million miles away. Some of my early grown-up reading, right there.
It’s nice to read you again, glad you had a good holiday 🙂
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Thanks Joey. I try to get interesting shots of the moon because otherwise it just looks like 12 of the same thing in my album. It is interesting watching people at the craft shows. Some hardly ever look up at me but when they do and see my hat, it makes them do a double take, which starts conversation. I almost sold that Christie collection when we were having financial problems. I’m glad I didn’t. Thanks for stopping by!
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