The Crutches Are Out Again

So it seems to be a first sign of Fall in our family that Lily slowly makes her way to school on crutches. An annual tradition perhaps, first started last year, due to a bad knee injury at gymnastics that had her out of commission for a good three weeks. This time, we have a mystery injury. No one knows how or when she hurt her ankle but she can't put any weight on it and it's now been 10 days. We've had the xray done but no word back from the doctor. I think we're skipping gym today. For the record - last year, injuries included: sprained wrist, concussion, reinjured knee, and a veritable rainbow of bruises. Shall we try for the full-on cast this year? (oops, she just read this and is now having a cow).

I was out in Harrison last weekend for the Castle & Crafts Market. As the long-held sandcastle building competition was cancelled this year for financial reasons, the organizers are seeking a new name. I think "Handcrafted in Harrison" sounds pretty good. Anyway, I had a great time. Saw some familar faces, sold all my beautiful turquoise (sigh...it really was gorgeous), and was well-fed by Alyx. Thank you !

Been playing around with copper more. I'm quite liking it, and paired with silver and chocolate pearls, the look is pretty sweet. However, I am also a bit preoccupied with the prospect of job-hunting. The husband has decreed it is time for me to return to the workforce. While I have no intention of returning to a high pressure corporate job at this time, even the idea of part-time employment is a little nerve-wracking. Stage fright I guess. And honestly, I have nothing to wear. Really. I live in jeans, sold all my suits (though those would be so "What not to wear" now), but I do still have my stilettoes. I may just prance around in the bedroom in them (alone, it's not as dirty as it sounds), but you'll have to pry them out of my cold, dead hands before I give in and buy a pair of crocs. Umm...I am so off topic right now.

What else? Oh, I forgot to mention last time that I finally experienced a milestone of sorts. I was stung in Penticton. I have never been stung in my life and have spent a good deal of time making a fool of myself as I run away screaming from most flying insects. This experience has shown me that that was precisely the right action. Bugger, it really really hurts. I was stung on the top of my foot, right in the vein and had a nasty burning pain for about 3 days. Ugly, freaky little creatures that don't serve any purpose on this planet. Next topic....

I guess that's it for today. I'll be at Steveston Market on Sunday (sept 27) for my last market there of the season and the weather should be fabulous.

A little bit of both

May - some good, some not so good. I don't want to spend a lot of time grumbling but honestly, the two markets that I booked for May both bit. The "Health & Beauty Show" put on by Jam Expo was a total disaster. Unprofessional, disorganized and an expensive waste of my time. We've been offered a free booth for next year, but seriously...would I go back? Not on your life. Talk of a lawsuit was wafting around but I guess everyone is quietly licking their wounds and moving on. The other - the May Day Festival in Fort Langley was starting out to be a great day. Well-organized, happy people coming to enjoy the festivities and then the down pour. Everyone left and so they should have. Nobody's fault on that one. It was totally set up to be great day. Time for two more grumbles.....if someone sends a minor tv personality a piece of jewelry as a thank you for featuring them on their show, does it not seem proper etiquette that said "celebrity" should be gracious enough to send a quick "thanks"? And finally, I don't make "costume" jewelry. That is what girls buy at Claires. While I may be relatively new at this, I do have enough pride and confidence in my work that I don't think it sounds snooty to sniff at such a comment.

Okay, enough of that. The good stuff - I am really looking forward to the summer. The White Rock Farmers's Market (http://www.whiterockfarmersmarket.ca/) is bigger and better this year with some great new ideas like featuring local chefs. Potter's Nursery on 192nd in Langley has started their new market, and once all the produce vendors are there, I think it will be a great success. I had the best cheeseburger there on Saturday. (http://www.pottersonline.ca/). This weekend (June 6-7) I will be back at Fab Fair at the Heritage Hall on Main Street. (http://www.fabfair.ca/). I know I will be doing some great accessories shopping from the fabulous local designers who will be selling there. July will see me in Steveston for both the Salmon Festival on July 1st and the Farmers & Artisan Market on July 5th. I will always consider myself a Steveston girl and can't wait to go back each time. (http://www.stevestoncommunitysociety.com/).

Both kids are signed up the the Langley Tri-It Triathlon at the end of June, and my husband is full on in his training for Penticton. Apparently he lost 5 pounds on a 3 hour ride the other night. If only it were so easy for me. I've started going to Gator's in Cloverdale for their bootcamp and it is a wonderful, but very challenging, workout. Like I said, this weight is coming off me!

Anyway, I've got a bunch of custom pieces to get going on and some great new long chains to finish for the weekend. I've made a few of these long pieces and will get them photographed and online soon.

Enough chat! Off to work