I can't hear you.

Do you know how to leave a message? Part of my morning routine at work is to get the messages left during after hours and seriously, some people have no clue how to leave a message on a machine. Typically, I have to replay the message once or twice, sometimes 3 or 4 times because people rattle off the info so fast that I can't get it written down quickly enough. Or they are so hungry that they decide to eat their phone while they are talking into it so that I hear some modern day version of Charlie Brown's school teacher. Then there is the type who talk on and on and on and say nothing. Details people! Details! We asked you to leave details (we meant specifics). Do not ramble - that's what blogging is for!
Here's an idea: if you feel compelled to leave a message try mentioning the purpose of your call. How about adding your name - it's highly plausible that we deal with more than one client. Do you have a phone number we can call you back at or did you just pick a random payphone to dial us up on? And really do you think we took a stenographer's course.  They haven't offered that since the mid 80's. If you want me to write down the details try speeak-i-n-g sloooooooooow eeeeeeeeenough that, I can get it all.

Sunday Scribblings wants to know what the message is, well intrepret this:

Speak Clearly. Make Your Point. Let them remember who you are, otherwise no one is gonna listen!

Perspective

This morning was the highlight of my week. A big part of what we do at The Girls is empower women, help them feel good about themselves, stand a little taller physically and emotionally. Tammy and I have been wanting to give back to our community but how was the question. There are so many non profit organizations out there that need a helping hand. The Coverdale Center For Women Inc. seemed where we were being called to help, but I didn't really know how much until I met the five incredible women who keep that place running.
The center is a shelter, a halfway house, a refuge for women who have nothing, who have felt like nothing and society have written off. Not right I tell you. This center helps these women by showing them compassion, gives them counseling, helps them with self improvement, life skills and so much more.
If you are reading this you probably have a computer or laptop, a warm house and food to eat. I am guessing you blew $20 this week on stuff you can't remember. Luxuries.

Tammy and I took approx. 60 bras with us to donate to the shelter.The residence and staff were excited and waiting for us. Starting this year, the Girls are donating $1 for every bra they sell to the center. That's just a drop in the bucket, I know. What they need is more people to help out. I can't imagine the life the women have experienced that lead them to take refuge at the center. I tip my hat to Nancy and her team, you are doing amazing work.


"... I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me." Matthew 25: 35-36, The Message

Am I a Mermaid or a Whale?

I have been doing some research today on marketing to the 50+ woman. While many women in our area have heard about and flocked to our shop, we seem to missing out on reaching this age group a bit.  Saint John is not a big city, yet many women who cross my path have yet to hear about us.  This was a slight blow to my ego due to all the publicity at the beginning. Why we couldn't even go into the hardware store with a sales rep pointing out who we were (blush). Nonetheless, we want to reach these women and my research took me to all sorts of places.  I stumbled across a blog that I thought posed a very good questions.  Do I want to be a Mermaid or a Whale? Hmmm. Is that like blondes vs. brunettes? Well, I can't say blondes have more fun. I have plenty. What's really interesting is that while I do not measure up according to my BMI (29), I have several friends comment lately how thin and great I look. Sure I would like to look like a mermaid but as the Northern Pikes sing "She ain't pretty, she just looks that way".

This is all so coincidental as I have been working on a new doll, which happens to be a mermaid. Missing arms, and hundreds of beads waiting to be sewn on, she is no where near being complete but I thought I'd attach a little pic of her in progress. Like my fabricated mermaid, I'm just a doll in the making.

Deep Freeze

It is -20C here in Quispamsis. I am sitting by the fire this cold frigid morning, working on a couple marketing projects for the shop. It is early and I am not quite awake yet so my mind is wondering a bit. 
Across the room perched on my stack of books and supplies is my latest doll.  I sewed her body and put the first layer on her face last night.  She is different from the others in that I deviated a lot from the pattern. When I laid the fabric out to cut, it looked a lot like the scale of a fish and my first thought was to make a mermaid with it.  But I didn't have such a pattern. I figured that shouldn't stop me. So I tried to imagine how a mermaids tail would look and how to translate that into a pattern.  With a bit of readusting here and there, I had an end result that pleased me. I also had time yesterday to stop by Cricket Cove and check out the wool selections.  I found beautiful mohairs, buffalo, alpaca and more. The mohair I chose for this doll with beautiful and sparkly. The colours are a bold version of iridesence, which will lend themselves perfectly for my aquatic creation. I think once her face is done and all the beading is applied she will be very charming.