THE GOAT RODEO

I’m always picking on poor Fern.

Do you want the good news, or the sad news first? I’ll post the sad news and you can skip it, if you want to.

1. Sad News, I need emotional support hoes here. Nope, it’s a joke. I didn’t make a goof-up. Thought you’d all crack up.
2. How to buy stuff, get goodies and be a real force for the opening of my company, without me dying from late night desperation trying to get the website up!!!!

1. (feel free to skip to two)
Bear is going to be put down and I’m a mess. Who knew I would grow so very attached to an old crotchy bark-ler that came to use third hand, from a very abusive home, to a very loving home, but he hated me, to a dog that waits for my husband to get home. The feelings are semi returned. Gene is not into dogs so much.

Bear has a degenerative hip disorder. He’s almost 20, way past a normal lifespan for a Pomeranian, although they are long lived for dogs and we got him when he was around 12. According to his loving former owner and our vet (former owner rescued him. She worked at the Humane Society. He came in a terrified disaster. Now between us, he’s a hoot, or was). His hip pain is unmanageable and he can’t sleep on the bed anymore. Too soft. He wakes up screaming in pain. It’s the most terrifying sound I’ve heard and the first time it happened, a few days ago, we knew. We wanted to manage it and give him more time. We shouldn’t. He’s ready. We had a long talk the other day and I told him it was okay for him to go to the rainbow bridge and I would go to him as soon as I got there, after seeing my mom and son again. I’m not sure there is life after death, but I’d like ton think so.

Scott Bakula, played in several things, but is well known for the Television Show, “Enterprise,” as the first Captain of the Enterprise. I saw a very interesting movie Will Shatner made about the captains of Star Trek. He is funny, self deprecating and honest about not wanting to be known as a one off. Of course he plays characters that are all cocky bastards, so he can’t ever get away from it. As someone who has done some acting, if that’s your thing, and you do it well and are getting work…go for it. Not everyone is Meryl Streep and thank goodness. I love her, but not all actors, “Become.” It’s emotional acting and while real and raw and carries you into your part. It can also cost you part of your soul. Heath Leger comes to mind. I’m an emotional actress. I’ve never had to pull out a nose hair to cry (Bette Davis, hysterical). I really live the role when I am on. It sucks your soul. Anyway, Scott Bakula said, “The energy of the dead is all around us. It fills the air and it is retained from generation to generation through our mitochondrial DNA. Passed from mother to child, from the beginning of man.”

Not a direct quote, but it fit me in a way I could never voice. Energy can neither be created, nor destroyed. We are electrical energy. There is life after death. How it comes out? Hell if I know. I will someday. Then there’s the whole, “You’re making up your universe as you go along,” philosophy. Problem is, why wouldn’t I create a better place for me? Not rich, but a house would be nice.

So, Bear. It’s time for him. No one else is ready. With the noted exception of Gene-Gene. “Just put him down already. If he’s not happy, and can’t do what he wants, put him down sooner, rather than later.”

This child will never be in charge of my living will.

2. Opening. I didn’t understand the scope of my undertaking when I started this hair-brained business. Yes, I am selling soap at shows and some other great products, but the entire line, plus testing here and then paid testing, the website, the Etsy Shop, jurying in to Art and Craft Fairs…I am overwhelmed and feel like I can’t work enough hours in a day and I get paralyzed. Yes, Gene helps. The kids…As soon as the little ones come home and mix with the teens, WWIII breaks out and it’s weapons of mass destruction in the form of verbal abuse on all sides. Neither Gene, nor I fight with each other like this, but they’ve seen it in other groups and school. I cannot get it running as fast as I wanted to.

The wonderful news? I found my niche. As natural as possible, bath, body and cosmetics, with a safe product at the top of the list. That’s my personal motto and is going in the newly painted formulary (in a week), on the wall with the accent color that is the color I am using for my website. It’s an aqua. I find it soothing and peaceful and natural. Just like the products I have developed. They are not, “chemical free.” That would be nothing. H2O is a chemical for crying out loud. Everything is a chemical. What the, “Chemical Free,” people should be saying is, “as least lab altered as possible.” Oh and, “Preservative Free?” HATE IT! They are either taking your safety to a place where you could really damage yourself, or there are preservatives in the ingredients they are using. For example, I buy a very nice Aloe Juice with a lovely and more natural preservative in it. I can add 30% more products to it and they will be preserved. If I put, “Aloe,” on then ingredient list, and not the preservative, it’s technically against the law AND very much misleading and lying. If you see a product that is labelled, “all natural, preservative free and is not a cleansing agent and they are all happy that it’s SLS free…” I’m going to say right off the bat, they are using scare tactics to get you to purchase the product. You can make products that are all oil and no water without a preservative. Also the mineral makeup does not need a preservative. However, once you put that product out there and someone dips a wet hand into it, it is going to go bad, fast. Like in 24 hours fast. This educational stuff is killing me. Half the battle is getting people to really understand what they are buying and why.

One of my mentors, not sure he knows he’s my mentor, but I follow his blog like a lost puppy, said something to the effect of, “If you add an ingredient and you, as a formulator cannot feel any difference. Then the product does not need that ingredient, unless you are going for label appeal.” There is nothing wrong with label appeal. We all want, “Creamier, more lovely silky yogurt with fewer calories.” In other words, yogurt that tastes like real desserts, not mocked up ones, and is lower in calories, but does not taste like it. There is a lot more to marketing than I ever knew and on top of that, SEO! Helping people find you. Something I’ve not done well so far, but am working on.

Yet there are smart people out there who want what’s ready. My solution? A brochure in HTML format with good photos of what’s ready NOW! You can buy the products at reduced prices and I’ll put it in a, “if it fits, it ships,” box. I’ll fill the rest of the box with test products and goodies for you.

Why this, instead of the free testers? I got a load of people who want free product, but when I tried it, I either got nothing back, they want free and that’s that, or people who put out what they thought about it on blogs and YouTube videos, but never bothered to tell me. I had to hunt it down. I’ve gotten some raves and some misses, just like any company. I’ve streamlined my soap into two main formulas and facial formulas. They will be in the brochure with really good pricing, enough to cover my cost and time, without the charges to make money, right now. I will have to raise the prices to a real rate, when I open, but this is a good deal for all and I don’t have to race to get everything on the site, picture perfect, and half-ass while still devoting hours a day to formulation. I gave up on my logo and hired it out.

I think this solution is the best. People who pay, even a little money are more likely to be honest, refunds, of course. They also will get back to you. I’ve found I go back time and time again to shops that send me free testers. I love them. Some sellers say it’s a waste of time, but some of my products are going to be expensive. Not YSL expensive, but if I’m using an expensive essential oil, it has to be figured into the price. Nothing going out of this formulary is going to be anything, but the best it can be. Towards that end, I’m selling a lot of surplus ingredients, which sucks, but many of them are really good and people love them. I’m registering with the, “Natural Products Council,” and 60% of my stuff has to be organic and sustainable. I’m all for it. That means no dyes. Which leaves me in a dilemma about lipstick. The best colors are either carmine, which is a beetle shell and the animal dies, or FD&C dyes. So, dead bugs, or dye? Personally I have no issues with dead beetles. Those Japanese lady beetles are a menace around here. However, it’s not really vegan now, is it?

These are the questions that are killing me. I know it sounds like an easier call then you would think, but it bothers me. I want to make environmentally positive choices (or my crunchy, before crunchy was cool, mother would rise out of her grave and murder me), and balance out the wants of my niche market.

Have you fallen asleep yet? The brochure will be available to download here and on my Facebook Site, Monday. It may have three products in it, but it will be there.

I will add to it as proper packaging and photographs are available. When I have enough to populate the shop and positive feedback, up it goes. I think that takes pressure off me, and offers people who love me a chance to try things. Family is always going to love what you do. Except my sister. “I don’t like this.” However, she cannot say why. UGH!!!! I can’t fix it, if I don’t know what you don’t like about it. So, if you buy it and hate it, I will give you your money back (don’t take advantage of me on this one. I know what’s really good and what I’m on the fence about, but can’t put a finger on), and when the new version is done, we can work something out.

At the end of the day, the free trials kill me. Not because of the price of the product. It’s the shipping! I need to be able to afford it. We take paypal through our business account. No risk for you and I’ve never had one issue with money in it. I ordered something that never came and the seller was not responding to me, so I asked for my money back. The seller had never picked up the money, so I was credited two days later. Eventually, there mailbox was shut down.

You will also get a series of types of packaging. I need to know what frosts your cupcakes enough to make them delicious and what frosts your cookies with ick. Any suggestions helpful.

This is win/win for everyone. I hope. It’s just a never ending journey of self discovery and joy for me. I want you to see and touch what I make. I have insurance, I have a proper formulary (my poor living room. No one will ever buy this place. Good thing we have a nice family room, instead).

We’re still ripping out the carpet here. If I’ve not mentioned it, the damn stuff we pulled out of the formulary and replaced with tile was so disgusting on the bottom, I almost tossed my cookies. Four kids, a twenty year old carpet and Mani-Nana and Bear…I was just icked out. It is time to replace the carpet, but the thought of all that allergen packing carpet…not for me. I love the wood look vinyl and it’s a manufactured home. It’s not going to go up, or down in value over floor tile. We will be lucky to sell this place at all one day. At least it’s ours. That gives me a sense of security that renting never did.

Here endeth the longest post I think I’ve ever written.

Today I am taking the easy way out. I’m posting an adult game of, “Whisper.” You know, where you get in a circle and one person says one thing and it goes around the room, coming back wrong. That’s what happened here. It’s sound science and it’s for everyone. Get back here Fern. Yes, you. Read it too.

Perry Romanowski is a fantastic Cosmetic Scientist. He is not evil, nor is he out to, “Kill everyone with evil scientist ways, using unpronounceable words and mumbo jumbo to make you buy products that we ALL, “KNOW” are…

Wait for it..

MURDER!!!

Nancy Notes
Here endith the lesson. How do you think Big Media took this? What did they take their information from? I didn’t hear about it on, “The Today Show,” yet. I may have missed it, or they’re waiting till the Super Bowl is over. Ya never know. I love the Today Show, but they gave a VERY slanted view of SOPA and PIPA this morning, and had to admit their parent company was one of the companies pushing this bill. Probably why you’ve not heard about it.

It was my intention to black out this site today as a protest against SOPA and PIPA, pending legisllation in the House and Senate. We’ve not updated this version of WordPress since God was a baby. So I cannot use the plugin.

Instead of re-directing you, as I am doing properly at goddessherbals.net, finally the new site, working on it.

Please click this link and read why you’ve not heard about this legistaltion. Hollywood is pushing it. It’s a good idea, but it needs to be worked on. It’s broad legislation that would allow our greatest right in the United States, freedom of speech. I wish I could black this site. I will be updating it, tomorrow. I will not be using the internet today.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
www.goddessherbals.net

Celebration for De-Crapification!

This has NOTHING to do with the new year. I actually attribute it to my new full spectrum light, and sub-lingual Vitamin B6. I feel pretty darn good. I’m opening the living room all the way into a formulary and putting in metal shelves. Not attractive, but again, no one uses the living room.

I’m getting rid of things that are not acceptable in my business that I bought by accident, or out of ignorance to my niche. Heck, till two weeks ago I didn’t even know my niche. I started a class on natural formulation. I really want to make this a more eco friendly company, but with smarts. There will be preservatives, sometimes some of the ones people love to hate. I’m not letting you put stuff in your eye area that’s going to harm them without a preservative.

So, a lot is headed out. My dyes, except for some lipsticks. More extracts that are organic, although becoming a certified organic business is a pain and expensive. I can’t get the organic things I want, or the price will be too high. won’t do that. I went back to three basic soap recipes for the body and a few for the face. Some salt bars (fun and not rough), and Castille. Other than that, I’m down to very few, superfatted and really good.

I’ve embraced using pigments, a little mica, clays and when feasible, natural colorants. It’s a challenge to use those colors and when it works, its fantastic!

My aesthetic is not a lot of pretty swirly bright colors. It never has been, but I thought I needed to do that to be successful. I’ve learned differently. Although soap cupcakes sell like mad at shows. I will make some for those.

I’ve sorted through what fits and got rid of stupid things I bought because they fit. It’s a short pile, but off they go. E-bay for the things that have the tags on them. Shameful. but not much. No hoarding for me. Going through the computer, getting rid of things not relevant. I’ve spend hours for two years getting pics on the net of soap to get ideas for. What I love, love, love are Japanese Soaps and Danish, European Soaps. There’s a a look and feel of delicate beauty that is fleeting, but useful. I’m working hard on the other website and Etsy, but it’s harder to get the pictures I want without a lot of touch up in Photoshop. Which I do not understand.

Links I’ve put in my favorites and books I have duplicates of. The e-books stay.

So, I’m cleaning the crap out of my life and…this is hard to admit. I’ve stopped yoga in the last few months. It’s an HOUR a day. Family and business first, me last. Enough of it. If I don’s take care of my emotional, mental and physical health, I will end up in a wheelchair. With remitting repeating MS, you can extend your time of health, as long as you are careful. Use it, or lose it. Back to real exercise goals, without burying myself in it. Moderation, if I can.

These are goals. They may, or may not happen. I will make it possible for them to happen, but I will fail in some area.

I already keep missing the mark on the store, but truth? It’s so much harder than I thought. I’m mostly doing it all, because my husband is exhausted when he comes home. He is learning to do a side business from home part time and take some certification tests. Truth is, we need him to have stacks of good certifications. We want to think he’s going to work at Trinity Health for the rest of his career, but he wants to work from home. We have several friends who do the shopping cart end of stores for people. He can do that. He’s got mine almost ready to go. That is invaluable. People need that at affordable, but realistic prices for them. It’s another income stream. If you want to work from home, you need to have five streams of income.

I am also getting more certifications and I am learning s much. I never want to stop learning, testing, making products better. I’ve found my love and happiness beyond being a mommy and a wife. I am still writing. I am writing short e-books on making cosmetics, using them, and a few, “Tub Reads.” Short stories that you can read in a couple of nice bathes, or while you’re relaxing.

So, I am on track, but it’s not fast, not nearly as fast as I want to be, but what I’m making is the best work I can do. That’s worth the wait.

They Liedel-Schoeneman family kids. Left to right. JJ (mine, 7), Herne (mine 8), Reese is holding little Logan who are 6 and 3 months, Gene-Gene 14 and Steven, 12. The last two are mine as well. I have good looking boys and Cindie has beautiful children.

I’m here, alive and really re-thinking my niche. I’m going as natural as possible and still be sane about it. I’ve thought about, Goddess Herbals Body and Bath, Relax, Free Yourself, Zen. That’s not it, but it’s 5:30am here and I had a nightmare that someone I used to know threatened my kids. She’s not done that, but fully capable and she’s started calling again and hanging up. She’s almost 60. Some people never grow up.

My cosmetics line, which is the line we’re incorporating, “the other will be a DBA, is Glam Naturals Cosmetics. Safe, Sane, Beautiful.” That’s the message I want to get across. We are not preservative free. We are careful in our choices and I do use dyes in my lipsticks. You can choose the dead bug kind too. There is no such thing as a. “filler.” I hate that term. Everything has it’s place. All lotions and oil mixtures will have vitamin E, and a preservative. The minimum amount needed for efficacy which means a lot of testing.

I also had a product toss out the other day. We found one in ypsi with a
basement (which we cannot put a down on, right now), that’s a mother in law’s suite. Full kitchen, tons of storage and a full kitchen. That’s two kitchens. One perfectly compliant in the basement with a door and a bathroom and a full kitchen upstairs. Oh, if we had the credit for 0 down. Alas, it will take two years to save enough for the down payment. It’s five minutes from where Gene grew up and three from his work. Ypsi has an iffy reputation, but the truth is, it’s a decent town, with a decent school that cannot be worse than Ann Arbor. Touted to be the best, but not if you have special needs. Ypsi has programs in tangent with Eastern Michigan University. Long known as a teachers college, they just opened an autism center that is free for city residents. I want to move more and more. I don’t need land, just a back yard with a fence and a formulary.

Enough whining. We’re on track to open the Etsy stores this week. I will only have lippies and shadows in the Glam Naturals store, but I’ll be stocking it every day with something. I detest Etsy, too many fees, but we’re using one other one too, Artfire and then there is the webstore, which is close to finished. Lands on my blog (make up blog) and takes you to the store. I have a rotating blog/vlog schedule that will be fun and interesting, I hope, as well as show off new stuff. I want to have a lot of fun with that blog. Educate, inform and make products in front of people to keep my, “transparency promise).

Today, all oils are being tossed that are in anyway close to end date and that is killing me, but now I have till March to make all, but the Christmas/fall soaps, with the good oils.

That’s right, new soaps every day till the storage unit is full. I print the tags, with batch numbers the day they are made and keep them with the soap. When it’s cured, they get wrapped in a breathable shrink wrap and stored. They’re ready to go. I am going to have ten all the time soaps, five – ten seasonal soaps and 5 facial soaps. No scent, nothing extra for the facial soaps. Scent can be irritating, except for the soap for very oily skin. That needs tea tree, lavender and something else. Each formula for the needs of that person’s skin. I’ve had great feedback on my cream soaps. I’m not 100% vegan, but that’s life. Darn close though and there is separate stuff to make the vegan products in, except the Kitchenaide, so only vegan in that.

I figure lots of videos of me making stuff. All kids soaps will be, “Hernie-Roo Approved!” Gene downloaded an app that was free for one day that turns a photo into a sketch. OH MY HECK! I would have paid for it and I am pissed I missed out on the free one. It does perfect renderings of pictures of your subject.

My niece is the official, “Spokes baby,” for the, “Sweet Baby Logan,” line and like the Gerber baby will be photographed and remain 5 months (the planned launch date, April of this year), forever. She’s cute, but a five month old is cuter. I held her the other day and thought…This is fun, I can hand her back!! I don’t want anymore.

That’s my life. It’s killing me that we can seriously get a house in ypsi, for less a month, that we are paying in lot rent. We want to fix this place up, put in a deck with a ramp and give it to my in-laws. They need a one story and there is enough room here for none of the kids to live, but lots of room to visit.

That’s a couple years out. We need to pay off bills that are VERY important and make a nest egg for the down. We can get an FHA loan (The double wide is considered chattel, not a house, but government standards, so a first time home owners loan would be our best option). That’s a huge relief. The in-laws don’t have to live here, but we want to put a ramp deck on it for mom and we’re re-doing things VERY slowly. Mostly, cause the kids won’t help. 12 and 14. They are old enough to help.

Okay, that vow I made in my twenties, no more holiday seasons spent in retail? That one. Riiiggght. I’ve now placed myself into the crowd of Cyber Mondays, Day after Thanksgiving pushes, free shipping week, blah, blah. Not as bad this year. Shop is not opening online till a week from now.Yes, yes, I’ve said it before. However, I am ready enough now and I can’t hide anymore from myself. I’m there, out there and the blog for the business opens tonight. So does the darn YouTube page. The problem, I’m never, ever happy with my YouTube videos for work.

Like everything else there is a higher standard of my hi-jinks. As a company the best advice I’ve gotten is, “Trust, Convenience, Fun.” I do make what I am going to make as perfectly as possible, I belong to good guilds and groups with certifications. The videos about transparency are a help. Convenient? Free shipping? Of course shipping costs, but people want to see free shipping, even if they are paying more. Whatever, I’ll build it in.

Fun. Fun, makeup and bath-time fun? This I can do. You want a fun bath filled with bubbles? I can do it. I am funny. I know that. Funny R Nancy.

So, today, NO EXCUSES, I am making videos that I am going to put up. Even if they aren’t prefect. That’s what editing software is for. I will select music and pay to use it on my site for video intros, which will be short.

So, with no more BS, my Page toppers for Etsy, my company website and pages in general. Please note, after much, much, MUCH thought, we are using the umbrella name of, Glam Naturals tm, for all things cosmetic and Goddess Herbals tm, for all things bath and body, with some stuff in both places. It’s all going back to one blog. I have been reading marketing books, SEO books, Creative Business Books and doing what I tell everyone to do when they listen to my advice. Take what makes sense and dump what does not. Like what you like and dump the rest.

The problem is, putting up a store online means yang. No sales are promised, expected, blah, blah, it’s just the corporate image you show others, to garner local sales, and wholesale stuff. Wholesale sales is where it’s going to be a win, or loss, but I have five years from the day the website opens to make it work.

Oh, and it’s Bath Bomb Day! I love making bath bombs.

New Banners. Simple? Yes. Eventually they will have product photos on them, but not right this second. After we rip out all the carpet and lay the new floors.

Nancy

If you hate them, message me. Like them, message me. I prefer opinions about business stuff off this blog, but it’s such a HUGE part of my life.

Duplicate photos courtesy of my new camera that drives me bats!!! I cannot figure it out and it makes me feel all old and stuff.

You mentioned in a remark that Herne will be working for me one day. No doubt. I got lectured last night because there was a smidge of something on my formulary floor. Probably baking soda, cause the boxes leak. I cleaned it properly and made notations like I’m supposed to. He actually inspected it and said, “Good job.” Brat. I adore that little snot-au-saurus. He’s so delightful.

“Mommy, I said, I love you and goodnight…” Arms fold, a look crosses his face and I am chastised. I did not hear. I listened, but did not hear the most important words of the day.

“Goodnight my sweet, Hernie-Roo. Mommy always loves you. No matter what.”
“Really? What if I (insert horrible thing here like eat a fly).”

“Yep, even if you do that.”

Smooch. Those cheeks are soooo kissable!!!

Autism is not a disorder of closing you out. It’s your disorder, you have to find the way in. Your child is just who they are. It’s incredibly challenging, but if I could make Herne, “normal…” not for all the money in the world. Herne is Herne. He is not broken. He has an issue. It’s how he interacts. I am the one who needs to get to him. He’s waiting there, right in his little heart, for someone to find the key. If you find it, and get a peek, even a small one, you are a blessed and lucky parent. When he breaks down and out and we’re on the same level, he looks into my eyes and says, “I love you, Mommy.”

That’s so intense, so honest, so real…my heart jumps

Then…he’s off, spinning and into his own world again. My sweetie.

Right now I am writing more about Herne, because he is the child I am least likely to leave in the woods. G3 is 14 and knows everything. Steven is his student and is now rolling his eyes at me!!!! and JJ? That boy has a mouth that would shock a sailor. I know, he shocked Grandpa and he’s retired Navy. Of course half the words JJ uses were learned from Grandpa. Apples and trees. Herne’s new favorite hobby is ratting out JJ’s bad words. I love boys.

I just wrote a wonderful post about my products that are ready for launch. I’m being held up by toner. I can’t make waterproof labels and if it’s for the shower, or bath…You might want to know what it is. I tooted my horn and encouraged others to never apologize about their hobby, or product. Short story. Two weekends ago at market.

“Is your soap stripping, or moisturizing?” Truth be told, I have soaps to sop up oils (like for my skin above my waist), and some that leave you very soft and moisturized. Instead of answering with that answer and a big smile, I hesitated. Does it moisturize? Does it do it enough for her expectations? it’s not Dove. It’s never going to be Dove. Dove is not soap. it’s surfactants with a bar hardener. It’s not really what I would call soap. I would say akin to Melt and Pour, but that would be very unfair to a lot of lovely people who make, MELT AND POUR MAGIC!!! They use what I use, and it’s soap with two additional ingredients. Allowing it to be melted and re-hardened. It’s art and soap making all in one. Not like Dove at all.

I should have had faith in the product. Told her that very many of my soaps would leave her skin as she expected it to be. I have a wheat germ oil soap that is amazing. I adore it. What the heck was wrong with me? I’d lost faith in the hours I’ve put in over the last two years, the failures the successes. Every breakthrough. Remodeling and taking over my living room for what I create so it can be clean and well kept. Using plastic containment systems and having a steel utility locker about to be moved in for my Christmas gift. Ye-haw. Really crafting a space, without sacrificing my home. Very hard to do with all those kids. Oh, and all those kids. Loving them, allowing soap to get stuck in the bowl I was using to make it in, because there was a boo-boo and soap on a stick is not as important as a scraped knee.

I gave the wrong answer. I lost the love I’d put into my product and sort of had a mini-breakup with my products, which are a part of me. If God does not make junk, then my best efforts are wonderful and putting myself, or my products down serves no one. It did not serve the woman who would have loved the what germ oil soap. I lost a sale, but that’s not it. I don’t hard sell at all. I lost a little bit of faith in what I created. I am not perfect. There are areas in my life where I’m a huge failure and ashamed about that. However, my work is not one of them. My work is my salvation on days I get three phone calls from the school, Gene is home late and the dog is needy, and sleeping outside the formulary door.

The days I think I am not a good, decent human being, because I see myself through the eyes of people I have let down. Not the ones I’ve helped. I define myself by my life failures. Not what I’ve done. Not the love I’ve shared and not seen return, for one silly reason, or another. I often remark that my personality is annoying. It is. However, I am fun at parties and I laugh often. I don’t support that woman. She’s a great person. We’re not perfect, but our precious things that we throw ourselves into are. We apologize for our prices, which tells buyers we don’t think our product is really worth the price we put on it. We remark on the negatives. Or, we blindly think everything is great and never try to improve on our work. Always perfecting always moving forward, nothing is ever done. I am and my products will always be a work in progress.

If you make it and love it, don’t apologize for it. If someone nay-says it, think about what they are like in the rest of their lives. I’ve found those that are negative, will make cracks and try to bring me down. That’s not who I am. That’s not who you are. You love your new statement necklace you slaved over? That’s wonderful and the rest of the world can bite you. You don’t have to keep up with anyone. Make your own darn trail and be proud of the places you carved it with care. Hurt and try to mend the places you harmed. Knowing that we all foul up. Don’t negatively judge’s. Okay, I retain my rights as a formulator to ask that people at least wear gloves, or soap with very clean hands if they cannot and heaven forbid you make a any other product without them. That’s my bugaboo. My pissy jumping off place. A place I should not bother to go, because it leads me down the path of, “if I judge her, then I’ve damned myself.” That train sucks. I don’t like to ride it.

Not everyone is going to get your thing. It’s okay. I might not select an item you create, but that does not mean it’s not perfect. Toot your horn, with the work you’ve done. It’s not pride, it’s belief in yourself. Sometimes, in our attempts to be very humble, we tell people their compliments are wrong. You’re telling them that what they think is wrong, and that you don’t really see it your way. Shut up and say, Thank you.”

Yes, some of my soaps are made to be very moisturizing. Let me show you two of my favorites and let you take a sample to the bathroom. What kind of scents do you like? Do you like scrubby, or smooth soap?”

That’s my answer.

Featured Taylor Swift. She’s lovely, but I’m not really into her music. After the show, however, I am into her.

She is in genuine awe that people listen to her music, not jaded and honestly appreciates her fans. I was shocked by how darn normal she is. When she was asked if she understood that she was a role model, she said she knew that and it was important to understand that music shapes the next generation.

Who says that? Most singers, actors, would act, “Aww shucks,” but know they have an impact. She understands her impact and watches herself. The rap song with her knitting is hysterical. She pokes fun at herself. She sounded awful when she performed with Stevie Nicks. Off key, in the worst way, just a half step in most spots. Ugh, but she got through it. I sing, I know how often it happens. So much so that many singers lipsync. It’s salvation for too loud and no proper feedback in your earpiece. She rose above it, and maintains her popularity. I won’t come down on anyone for being off key singing with Stevie. She’s my idol.

I have a new appreciation for this young woman and her life story songs. She manages herself and has since she was 16. That’s pretty good in an age of handlers and people telling you what to do to the point you lose yourself. It’s almost impossible, now, to be a popular singer and maintain some integrity. There are only a handful. She’s one of them.

Bravo young lady. I like a nice girl who respects her parents and sees herself for who she is, imperfect, talented and darn lucky. I have a fourteen year old who will be 18 in 3 and a half years. In case you need a date, or something.

I sometimes crochet in public. Waiting for things, going places, in the car. I get car sick and it keeps my mind off the movement. Yes, this is fairly new in my life. The car-sickness, not the crochet. I get a lot of comments. “crochet is a lost art,” Hmm, I found it. “Gee, you use a (hold nose in air like you smell a poo), plastic hook?” Eyebrows raise in disapproval, and the yarn gets eye-balled. The yarn, is usually decent. Only the hook seems to raise an epic stink.

I use cheap, plastic hooks. I have some steel, some aluminum and three wooden hooks, but there’s something about the plastic hooks by, “Susan Bates,” (no, I am not being paid for this, nor sent hooks. Darn!), that speak to me.

Maybe I’m just a product of my generation, maybe I’m a cheap hooker, but I love those darn hooks. The yarn (except for lace weight, I detest lace weight with every hook, even tho it’s worth it), slips on and off the hook and I can go Zen and pick up some speed. Like I almost know what I’m doing.

It’s not helped me finish all my projects faster, but except for hats and simple scarves, I have some complicated things started. Some of which will be out of fashion by the time I finish them. It’s good that everything old is new again. I feel both connected and modern. I crochet for me. Myself, the family. Never to be sold. My choice of hook isn’t really germane to a lovely finished product. Is it?

On the body product level, I’ve mastered the shampoo and conditioner bar thing!! I feel joyous, incredible, amazing. I did them myself and it only took two years and a few bars that didn’t clean, would not wash out, would not stick together. You get the picture.