Yay!!!

Subscription copies are out and the public can buy on news stands and book stores July 24...the fall issue of Knit Simple magazine!!!

Focus

Is it better to be terribly busy and have a multiple focus or be moderately active and zoom in on the tasks at hand? Under which scenario do you function better?

I have realized I'm better off busy. These past few weeks have been filled with the usual....work, baseball,home stuff, gardening, crafting,online promoting, etc. but additionally I've been watching the kid's house and their cats, getting out the wholesale order, anticipating what 'may' happen when the magazine hits, preparing for a getaway and dealing with DH's chorus issues....a fuller plate. And guess what? It is all getting done in a timely manner. My focus can go in many directions and I can still achieve a goal. Meals have still been prepared and the house is clean (moderately!).

While we're busy we daydream about doing nothing, just relaxing and zoning out. But too much of that and we get antsy and start creating our own personal busy-ness. At least I do! Somehow doing nothing is not satisfying. I'm not saying that resting isn't valuable but the mind starts wandering into the "Gee, I could..." mode. So I welcome the busy-ness and enjoy the satisfaction of tending to all the aspects of life! The alternative is not good!

Gotta go....stuff to do!

Done and done....almost!

If I am asked to make something I really like it finished yesterday! To have an 'obligation' hanging over me is unpleasant. So, yes, I kind of rushed to complete the wholesale order. What that means is I neglected certain other activities in order to get this done. The flower beds are wilting and they are loaded with weeds. The house definitely needs vacuuming and dusting! But the order for 60 tape measures is complete.
Almost.
They need to be bagged, labeled, packaged and mailed but that's a not a big deal. If I don't change the sheets this week, done!!!!
Now if I can get another big order and have no time to cook.....

Blogs

Blogs are either subject specific or general life stuff. Mine has been a bit about my life, alot about my business. I'm basically a private person. If you read between the lines, you know I don't brag and even have to be pushed to publicly share some news. My friends push and I usually push right back! Of course, my son and grandsons are the most intelligent, handsome and gifted persons on the planet but since you know that why do I have to blog about it?

Anyway, I'm NOT bragging but sharing some exciting personal/business news.
First, the fall issue of Knit Simple magazine will hit the news stands on July 24th and my tape measures will be a small feature....yippee.
Second, a shop in North Carolina has purchased some tape measures for their store opening in August....yippee twice.
And finally Patternworks, an established, long time yarn and supply business, is about to purchase a slew of my tapes for their online shop....yippee phew!!!!
Oh, and a local yarn shop in Denver is making inquiries also....yikes!!!

Many more still in my Zibbet shop.

Why?

I recognize, understand and have been witness to previous generations criticizing the young ones. New things come along and the older citizens don't get it. Rock 'n' Roll, long hair, war protests...I was there, they didn't get it.
I think of myself differently but I am a (proud) member of the new older generation. I have many of the 21st century toys. Some I don't but I get it, just don't 'need' it all. But I don't understand some things.
Why must you be on the phone 24/7 ?
Why do you have to put on mascarra while driving?
Why is texting while driving so necessay?
And I could go on but the other day I was greatly dismayed.
Our area has a wonderful Saturday food market downtown closing off several blocks and creating a pedestrian mall. This past weekend they added a "Touch the Truck" event for kids....garbage trucks, fire trucks, 18 wheelers and pickups were all parked  allowing little ones to...touch! Great weather and great crowds.
Walking down the street was a young couple pulling a classic little red wagon. Sitting inside was a blonde toddler boy, tucked among his parents' purchases. Cute,cute,cute...yes?
NO!
He was playing some electronic hand held device. WHY? It was a beautiful day and lots to look at. Why couldn't life entertain him as he was being pulled along? WHY?
I know, I'm old, but stop and smell the flowers,people!

Stash Busting

I honestly never knew what a 'stash' was until a few years ago. I also never admitted or recognized I had a problem so here is the confession....I probably should NEVER buy yarn again.
I have some leftover, never used yarn that qualifies for the term vintage, if not antique. I also have a load that is under ten years old. A good sale is hard to resist and couple that with over-buying or never completed projects and you have a stash problem!
For the past 3 years I made a New Year's resolution to work from the stash and not buy. One year I made it all the way to February...not good.
I have yarn I know I will never use and have sold some collections to those who need more in their stash but still the bins multiply.
But I think I have the solution to this ever increasing issue with yarn.....create something that doesn't use yarn.
Sound weird? Yes, but hear me out. I have been making unique tape measures and as mentioned in another post, they have been a hit and will be in Knit Simple magazine in the fall. Consequently I haven't been in the stores searching out the next yarn buy. Oh, I'm still knitting and crocheting but have been ferociously attacking the stash. In the past month I completed 3 scarves and 3 sets of hand warmers from my bins.
So that's good, right?
Uh, that would be a no....the tape measures call for fabric. Ask me how that stash has grown!!!! Any suggestions?

A little rant.....

I am not the most profient computer user. The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know. But, I do know a fair amount and don't understand something that has nothing to do with computer skills. It's manners, plain and simple.
I am talking about business e-mails. In 2012, how can you expect to have a viable, if not profitable business without responding to e-mails?
Why does a business advertise an e-mail address or a 'contact us' link if they aren't going to answer?
I am not talking about huge corporations or even large ones. I am talking about small local businesses and online shops. I am referring to businesses who are NOT so overwhelmed that they cannot devote a bit of time each day for correspondence.
Whether an inquiry is about a possible purchase or just a general question, how are these letters ignored? Who knows what positive event may occur?
And as long as I'm on my soap box....watch your spelling and sign your e-mails when you send or when you respond. 
I just received a 3 sentence (questionable sentences!)
response that was 12 words long, 3 typos/spelling mistakes, missing punctuation and no signature. Think I'll do business with you? That would be no!

Rant over! Off to get more coffee...