Looking Good

So here are the BIG copies of my Tawny pics.

In my honest opinion, I think they look pretty good! They are now up on the wall in The Happy Abode and selling for $245. They cost a LOT to print and even more for the mat board for something that size. So worth doing and I think that some time this year, I will endeavour to have them framed properly and hang them up at home.

I spent a few hours at The Happy Abode today labelling, pricing and displaying the photos, I served a customer,  corrected the prices on a couple of items, checked the mail, delivered Christmas cards to businesses in town, picked up a chai latte for The Motivator, bought some meat from the butcher and chatted to a couple of locals who I haven't seen for at least a year.

The kitchen was all abuzz when I arrived home. Primrose was preparing some salads for lunch and instructed me to cook some meat balls to go with them.

We sat outside afterwards, she doing arty farty stuff while I attempted to learn about my new camera. It took me half an hour just to put the danged strap on the camera! But with a few interruptions to find batteries and sticky tape, search for special findings for our beading project, drive to the shops to buy batteries and coffee, there wasn't much time left for the camera.

While I began to get ready for the club tonight, I received a phone call from Vegan Chickie - which took about 40 minutes. It was a great chat but I only had 20 minutes to get ready after that.

It was a losing night all round and once again we came home empty handed.

The good part was walking in the door to see the table set with our plates and cutlery, along with a a few salads and the chicken wings that I'd cooked earlier in the day. Primrose had already eaten, so Adoring Husband and I sat down, lit a candle and ate dinner together.

It's almost 11.30pm so I'm off to bed because I have to work tomorrow.

Nite all.

Stupid O'clock

All three of us were awake at stupid o'clock this morning so that we could drive Adoring Husband to the train station to catch the 5.46am train to Brisvegas. He was visiting the Parkinson's Professor for a check up AND he was picking up this ...

Wahoo! Who's a lucky girl then????

I began to play this evening, but decided that I was way too tired to focus properly, so I packed it back into the box until I have the time to set it up properly.

This morning, after we dropped AH at the station, we drove home and parked the car, then walked to the shop for coffee and decided to visit the boys at the Seat of Knowledge for a little while.

Primrose spotted a couple of dolphins frolicking in the river - I was busy chatting with a friend and didn't get to see them, but Primrose was loud and animated in her excitement!

After a while, we walked home and the weather was already steaming hot at 8.15am, so we pumped up the air conditioner, cooked some bacon and eggs for breakfast, after which, Primrose was in need of some catch up sleep, so she climbed back into bed.

It was about 11am when we were ready to head into The Bay with our 'to do' list in hand.

It took almost all day to complete the list and we decided to do our small food shop at our local supermarket.

We arrived home and I prepared our dinner while Primrose rested.

To fill in time until we collected AH from the train station, we decided to leave the house early and look for more Christmas lights. There were a few new displays in our town, but we thought we'd drive to Howard early and go in search of their lights.

It was worth the early start because we found a few great displays, but the best one was in Burrum Town on the way to Howard and the house could be seen from the road with it's great Christmas spirit.

After such a huge day for us all, we are all exhausted and both AH and Primrose are already in their respective beds. 

Now it's my turn!

Nite all.   

Feeling the Effects

Three people experienced the positive and wonderful effects of our health practitioner today and each one left with a relaxed smile on their face vowing to return soon.

There are already two appointments booked for next week and I have a feeling that Wednesdays will soon be fully booked on a regular basis.

She is very good.

It was quieter in the shop than we expected. Our sales were still pretty good, just with fewer customers.

I didn't leave for home until just before 5pm and I rode the long way so that I could take advantage of the cool Summer breeze along the waterfront.

Primrose had prepared dinner again, so all we had to do was sit down to eat and then get ready for the Carols by Candlelight which was being held in the church grounds.

Adoring Husband decided not to come with us. He had to work this evening because he's leaving early in the morning to attend an appointment in Brisvegas and won't have time to do the work before he goes.

Also, our new super dooper whizz bang terrific couch arrived today so he was falling in love with it!

Primrose and I walked to The Motivator's house and we all walked together to the Church grounds. I had two folding chairs in my trike basket and two candles, while The Motivator carried her chair because it didn't quite fit in the basket.

We arrived a little bit late and we could hear the singing from quite a way down the street. We did catch the little nativity skit that the kids performed which contained quite a bit of good natured humour. We lit our candles, took a few selfies and sang along to a few songs and it was all over before we knew it. Just an hour.

It was very enjoyable. The night was mild with a soft breeze. The sky was clear and full of stars. The crowd were relaxed and happy, but the best bit was spending time with the girls.

I made a big berry smoothie when we arrived home and now it's time for bed. We have to be up bright and early in the morning to take Adoring Husband to the train station.

Nite all.

Joyful Day

There were only 4 of us at morning tea today, but it was almost midday by the time everyone left the shop. It was a fabulous morning full of laughs and snorts and catch ups.

Not a single customer came in during that time, but as soon as the girls left, the shop filled up.

Firstly, the lady who sold me the timber wall hangers at the markets last week, stopped in at the shop and asked if I'd like to buy some more.  She had three in the back of her truck that she was selling for $10 each, so I snapped them up.

After that, there were a string of ladies entering the shop in groups of three. Then a gentleman came in to pay for and pick up a previously ordered big ticket item.

Let's just say that it was a good day!

Adoring Husband drove into The Bay to pick up my printed photos and drop them at the framers to have the mat boards added. I'm looking forward to seeing the poster sized Tawny photos.

He also drilled another hole in the wall behind my desk so that I could hang the Mad Hatter quote that Primrose made for me.

It was a stinking hot day today - or so my customers told me - I was perfectly comfortable in the air conditioned shop haha.

I took delivery of three boxes of stock, including some lovely velvet lined shell trinket boxes - this is a shout out to someone special who wanted to know when they arrived - but I'll also send out a message tomorrow.

There are some beautiful San Marco pendants in stock now. Tiny delicate Mexican flowers encased in resin and sterling silver. They really are quite delightful. I'll post photos on our Facebook page tomorrow.

I didn't quite finish unpacking and pricing the stock and have left a bit of a mess in the shop so I need to get there bright and early to finish the job before we open the doors tomorrow.

As I put the bins out this afternoon and began bringing in the signs and flags, Primrose appeared from nowhere and was able to help me. She had been watching an eagle hunt for food at the beach and prior to that had prepared a bunch of mouth watering salads for dinner, so I got to sit down at home for half an hour before serving a delicious meal that I had no hand in!

I am lucky to have such a caring friend and she has made my life so easy while she has been on holidays. I need to think of a way to say thank her.

It's almost 10pm now, so I'm off to bed.

Nite all.

Catch Ups

It was quite the day of 'catch ups' in the shop today.

The Publican came for a visit in a wheelchair and though she is very weak after some heavy duty treatment for her illness, she put on a brave face, was very chatty and even had a little twinkle in her eye.

I was so happy to see her and pounced on her for a big hug.

She gingerly removed herself from the chair and slowly made her way around the shop to look at our new stock. It was so good to see her and I really hope that her health improves quickly.

A group of three ladies came in today - the ring leader being a previous customer who purchased her first collection of snap button jewellery during her first visit. Today she was adding to that collection and quickly chose four beautiful buttons.

One of her friends took the opportunity to start her own collection of snap jewellery and got a little bit carried away, which was fun to see. I can totally relate to that!

A couple of mothers came in to buy birthday presents for their young daughters. A couple of women needed to purchase secret Santa gifts for work colleagues. One lady came all the way from Hervey Bay especially to shop at The Happy Abode for a Christmas gift for a friend. THAT was very cool.

Our last big clock went to a happy home today.

Lastly, at the end of the day, Woman of Many Talents walked through the door, so we had a great catch up between customers.

Adoring Husband arrived just before 3pm to help me pack everything away and lock the shop so that we could drive into town and have some photos printed. It was a quick trip and we did a little food shopping before returning home.

Primrose and I walked to the beach, took our shoes off and did some grounding by walking for about 30 minutes in the shallows as the tide came in and then made our way to the shop so that I could pick up my trike to bring home.

Primrose had already prepared three different salads for dinner, so it was just up to AH to cook our meat on the barbecue, which he did.

Now, it's already after midnight, so I'd best get some sleep.

Oh and here are a couple of photos to show how we've changed up the shop a touch - the narrow shelving on the walls, in particular, for my photos.

Nite all.

Happiest of Happy Abode

I did take advantage of my Sunday off by staying in bed and requesting my morning coffee.

But we had a big day planned at the shop, so I had to drag myself into action eventually.

Adoring Husband moved my white side board from our house to the shop and then spent the next few hours attaching shelving to the shop walls to display my photographs and other assorted wall art. He added a few hooks to some designated wall space and a mirror to the treatment room wall.

Primrose, The Motivator and I spent some time working out how to display our stock in the new layout and then stood back to admire our handiwork.

It deserved hugs all round!

The Motivator gave Primrose a lift home and she prepared lunch while AH and I moved the furniture back into place and cleaned up the mess we'd made.

It was a most satisfying day and I'm looking forward to going into work tomorrow to see the result with fresh eyes.

I'll take photos tomorrow (or today as you are reading this) so you can see how fabulous we look now.

I've spent the afternoon and evening trying to write up a flyer for our Vision Board workshops and printing out pages of symbols and pictures that can be used on the boards. I also found lots of examples of vision boards to help people get an idea of what they need to do.

Here is my draft -

What is a Vision Board?

A 'vision board' is a collage of your visions for your future.  It can be what you see for the coming year, 2 years or even longer term - an imaginative daily reminder of your wishes and dreams that usually swim around in your head and never see the light of day.

We will help you take those thoughts and dreams and put them where you can see them so that you can focus daily on your aspirations.

It's a sacred space that helps you be more proactive in creating a positive future for yourself, and to remind you of your goals in life.

Your vision board can cover all different areas of your life such as relationships, career, personal growth, health, finances, holidays and more.

You will create your sacred space to attract your attention from the robotic routines that normally fill your days.

Seeing your creation every day will inspire and motivate you to think about what you really want and helps you to both consciously and subconsciously work towards the goal and stay connected.

Your vision board will help you to notice opportunities and spur you to take action.

The workshop will be a fun, stress free way to recognise your dreams, hopes and desires. It doesn't have to be perfect because there is no right or wrong way to create your vision board. It just needs to 'be' to work.

So come and joins us, on your own or with a couple of friends. We provide all the materials for your vision board plus morning tea. You may have some pictures or quotes that you'd like to add to your board, so bring any special additions that you would like to add to your creation.

Where? The Happy Abode
When?  Thursday 4th January 2018  9am - 1pm
Cost?    $65 - all materials are provided plus morning tea

Phone 074193 4979 and talk to Roz or Tracey to book your spot

I did a lot of online research to help determine a competitive price and this is a very good price for what is provided.

I'm pretty excited about running the first workshop because I've created a few boards over the years and they have been really successful for me.

My first vision board helped me meet Adoring Husband. It helped me move from the country to the coast. It helped me manifest successful outcomes for my kids and it helped me find my creativity and artistry.

My last vision board helped me get my teeth fixed, lose weight, become healthier and stronger and spend more time with the Chicklet family.

My current vision board has already helped me create my website and start the business, travel for the 'journey' work, feel empowered and in control of my life and keeps me refocussing on my health when I stray slightly.

I love vision boards.

Now I need to focus on getting some sleep. I have a feeling that it's going to be a big week!

Nite all.