Moving Up in the Bicycle World

I love to ride my bike.  I think as far as physical activity goes, it has been my one constant.  For years I was a runner and a kick boxer.  I have been an off and on roller skater, ice skater, and a whiz on roller blades.  I have tried yoga, aerobics, hustle aerobics, fencing, and Jazzercise.  In college I took badminton and my team was known at the "Fearsome Foursome."  Kevin and I non-dated through a season of tennis and badminton.  But, biking...well you just can't get much better than the feeling of cruising around on two wheels.

My first bike was of course a little red trike.  I think most of us started out on a red trike in the 70's.  Was another color even manufactured?  But, I finally got some freedom when my parents bought me a groovy Schwinn with a banana seat and streamers.  What a way to ride!!!  While I do have some pictures, unfortunately I do not have a scanner.  But, this is what that first taste of freedom looked like.

Great memories of that old bike!

After I outgrew that white bike, I used my mom's yellow three speed and my dad's 10 speed.  For my 12th birthday, I got a brand new blue, Huffy 10-speed.  Loved it.  When I turned 16 years old, I got a Huffy mountain bike.  Who needs a car when you can have a bike?!?!  That bike was my trusty friend all through college until some schmuck stole it, probably for the new tires.  So, I upgraded to a Schwinn which is still owned by my brother.  So where am I now in the bike world?  Why am I writing this?  Next paragraph please.

Ten years ago I scrimped and saved for a new bike.  I wanted a lighter weight mountain bike.  Then I found my Trek 4500.  The bike served me well.  Because I was young and single, I would bike a several days a week at Kensington Metro Beach.  My bike even served me well on a few bike tours.  Then I started grad school, then I got pregnant, then the bike acquired a baby seat.  I have loved my bike.

Trek 4500 - 2002 excellent condition.

But now I must sell my old bike.  Why you ask?  Because at 38 years old I now have an old body.  Arthritis and degenerative disk disease make riding my current bike for a long periods of time uncomfortable.  Due to limited storage space, I cannot get a new bike until I get rid of my old bike.  Yes, my husband sets out a lot of rules regarding the way we live.  So, if you are in the market for a used bike, please click out this link.  Because I have my eye on a cruiser.  A bike that rides with comfort in mind - my feet will be flat on the ground when I stop and the seat is actually more suited to the size my my rear end.  

Yes, like most of my posts, this one is longer than it needs to be.  Basically, I am selling my bike.  If you need a bike and live in Michigan, let me know.  I love my bike and it needs a good home.  Once my Trek has found a new home, I have only one decision left to make: Purple or Tangerine??????

Purple Townie - my children like this one.

Tangerine Townie - this just looks like a happy bike.

July 15 = 715 Pillows Day

One year ago today, I got an unexpected e-mail.  An e-mail that would inform me that I was getting laid off since the law firm I worked for was closing.  Well, that was a bummer!  I was working part-time.  Splitting my hours between the office and working from home.  It was a great gig.  I was upset, angry, and depressed.  I liked getting out of the house.  I liked the extra money.  While I was a little upset, my family was excited that I would be not have to work on the weekends, something I had been doing since Mimi was six months old.  With the news of the layoff, I had to decide what to do next.  Working on the weekends was become more and more inconvenient.  Kevin was travelling more so working at night was becoming inconvenient.  Working part-time during the day had draw backs because both kids still needed some form of daycare.  (Mimi was in school for half a day.)  It is not that I am opposed to daycare but it would suck up too much of my income to make it worth the effort.  Plus, MOST of the time, I enjoy being home with my kids.  But, I still needed something for myself.  But, it would be another month before Kevin and I dreamed up this darn pillow thing.

So, in celebration of one wonderful year out of work, I want to celebrate with all of you.  There will be a coupon code posted on 715 Pillows Facebook Page - click here, (You might as well like this page because I have some fun contests planned for next month.)  This code will be expire on July 20, 2012.  You can use this coupon to receive 15% a pillow order.  Admittedly, stock is getting low, but I will be sewing a good chunk of the day so that I can update my shop.  So, if you are in need of a throw pillow, please consider me.  If you are in need of slice of cake and scoop of ice cream today, please consider taking a bite in honor of 715 Pillows.  Hey, I will take any excuse I can get to eat cake!

My Working Vacation Was Foiled by Fun!

Good Intentions

Friday night - June 29:  Hubby and I hang out in the basement cutting fabric and packing up sewing supplies.  

Saturday night - June 30:  After spending a wonderful night watching the fireworks in Lake Orion with friends, Hubby and I are busy with last minute packing.  Sewing machine along with box of material and notions make its way into the living room.

Sunday morning - July 1:  Two adults, two kids, vacation gear, and sewing gear was loaded into a very tiny Scion xd.  This was the first vacation with my beloved red car that we felt the car might be to small for our needs.  When the girls were not fighting, they were sleeping.  You see, they also saw the fireworks the night before.  Yes, there was a lot of crankiness.  However, because they spent so much time snoozing, Kevin and I were able to talk about pillows.  I am definitely not going to invest in paying a marketing company right now.   While I am having fun, this needs to really develop into something that is more than a hobby.  Kevin and I discussed how I would most likely have time to sew AND blog on this trip.  I even had an awesome idea of taking pictures of my pillows with the lake as a backdrop.  Oh, I was also going to write descriptions for my Etsy listings.  A real working vacation, like a real working person.    

Reality

The reality of a vacation is rarely the ideal vacation.  That being said, the week was not a disaster but maybe not completely as planned.  Like I said, we started the vacation with two kids suffering from a sleep deficit and uncontrollable excitement.  Which means there was crankiness on and off all week.  On our way to Brevort, Michigan we stopped at a rest stop to eat our picnic lunch.  As we stepped out of the car, Mimi lost her second tooth.  Good thing she always packs her tooth fairy pillow made by 715 Pillows.  Now, a visit from the tooth fairy pillow is an exciting way to start a vacation.  We spent the week at the beach, Mackinaw Island, Mackinaw City, flying kites, playing at a splash pad.  Kevin and I even went on a date to a water park...without kids.  Monday afternoon, my kiddies took a much needed nap, I sewed two pillows.  Two whole pillows.  I thought I was off to a great start.  Then my brother, sister-in-law, and my baby niece arrived on Tuesday.  Yeah, my working vacation was over.  I was officially on vacation.  

What a Vacation Looks Like

Me riding a pink cruiser on Mackinaw Island.

Kevin got lapped by a child.  Since I was riding along with him I guess I was lapped,  too.

The girls playing on the beach and pirate hunting.

I did find some locally created throw pillows for sale on Mackinaw Island.
It is always good to size up your competition.  

The family!  

 The Aftermath


Now I am home, laundry is washed (not folded), house is clean, and the pantry is stocked.  I am not caught up on my sewing projects or upcoming blogs.  But, since my current situation can be loosely described as self-employed, I guess it is okay.  Besides, if this was in your backyard everyday would you want to work?  I think not!  

View from my parent's condo!

My parent's beach! 

 

Brevort!  !  

 

Decisions and Directions: Things That Make You Go Hmmmm!

This morning I had the opportunity to talk to a marketing company about some awesome tools that are available to big companies, little companies, and start up companies.  Kevin forwarded me an email regarding a free demo.  In a half hour, I learned how another company can use it's resources to connect me to people, other companies, and journalists all around the country and increase my sales.  Nice!  This company is able to do this by using the tools I am already using (plus new tools) but using them more effectively.  You know the saying, "there is an app for that" is kind of true.  I am so not a techie and was very much blown away by the presentation.

I called Kevin up immediately after the meeting and told him I was impressed.  He says, "So how much does it cost?"  Yep, there is the clincher.  $3,000 for the platform I am interested in.  $3,000.  $3,000.  $3,000.  Three times because it is $3,000.  You get it.  It costs a lot of money and 715 Pillows does not have that much money in it's paypal account.  Have you ever seen Ferris Bueller's Day Off?  Well, do you remember the scene when Cameron flips out because of all the miles on the his dad's beloved car?  Here is a reminder: 

In a way I feel a little like Cameron.  I am not flipping out really.  I am not flipping out at all.  But, I am conflicted and sometimes a good AHHHHHHH is a pleasant release.  I like this pillow gig.  It is fun.  I have sold a few pillows to family and friends but most of my pillows have been sold to people I have never met.  My pillows are decorating homes from from sea to shining sea.  Not kidding, the good folks of California are digging 715 Pillows.  So, do I keep doing what I am doing which equates to steady sales and a bit of revenue?  Or, do I take a risk, a gamble, a plunge?  Do I really think that I have it in me to make it as a "real" company?  It is not like I invented Spanx.  I just make throw pillows.  What makes my pillows stand out?  I don't know.  But, if I am going to take this to the next step, I suppose I would have to answer some big questions.

$3,000 is a lot of money.  That it $250 a month.  I don't pay $250 a month on my car payment.  What do I want to do?  I don't know.  Up until I took this call I was thinking I should go back to school to be an ultrasound tech or pursue some other non-invasive medical job in two years when Violet is in school all day.  Things that make you go hmmmm or things that make you go ahhhhhhhhh?  I guess it is a little bit of both since this is a matter of a pipe dream and reality.

Josie Geller Makes Pillows: My Connection With Drew Barrymore!

They just do't make 'em like they used to.

Movies are kind of like comfort food.  There are some movies out there that just make you feel good - kind of like homemade mac n' cheese.  There are movies that one can relate to, bring back memories, make you cry, make you laugh, or just entertain.  When Kevin is out of town, I like to watch documentaries and period movies, like Merchant Ivory films.  Also, when Kevin is away, I like to watch tearjerkers.  Wow!  Nothing brings on the tears for me like The Way We Were and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Have you ever watched the movie, My Dog Skip?  I can't even write about it because I will cry.  Actually, I am not allowed to watch that movie.  Watching Planes, Trains, and Automobiles around Thanksgiving is a must.  Thirteen Going on Thirty came out the year I turned thirty.  The scene where Meg Ryan flies to Paris in the movie French Kiss reminds of my first panic filled flight to Paris. I kind of wish interesting Frenchman had been sitting next to me.  Anyway, not all these movies are great movies, but they do make me happy and that is all that matters.  This weekend, Kevin and I were revisiting a movie that makes us giggle and we discovered something that we hadn't given much attention to in the past.

It is not a great movie.  I don't even remember it being out at the movie theater.  But, whenever Kevin and I can't really decide on a movie, we proudly settle for Never Been Kissed.  It is a silly movie about a intelligent, yet frumpy copy editor who get's her big break as an undercover reporter.  The catch is that she must go back to high school, which was a humiliating time in her life.  Throughout the movie, usually when Josie Geller (Drew Barrymore) is making a strange face or embarrassing herself, Kevin will usually say something like, "Who does that remind you of?"  The last time we watched this movie, we noticed that Josie Geller makes pillows.  Whoa!!!!  I have something in common with Drew Barrymore, besides the fact that we are both incredibly beautiful women!!!!  (I am kidding!!!)  Okay, I am not a moron.  I know it is just a movie.  I know Drew Barrymore is playing a character.  But, that character sews pillows, is really good at embarrassing herself, is kind of a klutz, and is a damn good writer.  Hmmmm....Does this sound a little bit like your's truly? Maybe a little because I am by no means a grammarian.  Expect, I have never been physically gross - I have always washed my hair.  Okay, summer camp and camping are two exceptions for any bouts of poor hygiene that I may have exhibited.

The satisfaction of a job well done!

So, if I were playing Six Degrees of Separation would it count if I said, "Hey Drew Barrymore played Josie Geller, who sews pillows, and I sew pillows so there you go."  Um, maybe not.  Now if Drew Barrymore was looking for some custom made pillows for her gestating baby, I might be able to help her out.  Drew, or anyone else really, let me know if you need a pillow.  I am open for business!

Me, my pillows, my name is sort of in lights at the top of the tank.
Instead of putting all my pillows on my bed, I put them in fish tank!

   

Race to Reopen the Belle Isle Aquarium: Fun, Food, and Fish!

Are you getting sick of my blog posts on the Belle Isle Aquarium?  Because in case you missed the first two, this is number three!  My first post described my joy and excitement as I prepared my dry tank exhibit and the second post described the behind the scenes fun I had setting up a fish tank full of pillows.  Good times!  So, what else could I possibly have to say about this event?  Isn't it obvious?!?!?  Now I am writing because someone needs to tell you to get down to the historic Belle Isle Aquarium on Thursday night!

I am going to take you back to elementary school English class for a moment and give you the who, what, where, when, why, and how's of the "Race to Reopen the Aquarium" event.

Who:  You need to go!
What:  "Race to Reopen the Aquarium" a gala with music, fish, finger foods, and fun!
Where:  Belle Isle Aquarium on Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan
When: Thursday, May 31, 2012 from 7pm to 11pm
Why:  The aquarium was the oldest continually operating aquarium in the United States until it closed in 2005 due to lack of funds.  This place is a gem and it is needs to be open.
How:  Show up at the aquarium in your "summer chic" duds and plan to spend $50 a ticket.

I know, it sounds like a lot of fun!  That is why I am going!

I tugged, twisted, cried, begged, and pleaded with my husband to get him to take me to this event.  Okay, I am exaggerating.  All I had to do was say, "Hey, since my pillows are hanging out in a tank at the aquarium, don't you think we should hang out at the aquarium?"  It took little or no convincing and since my birthday was last week, my husband somehow bought me the most perfect dress for the occasion.  And it fits... it fits welll!!!!!

Sure, I want people to come out and see my pillows.  I ordered some really cool Detroit and jellyfish fabric that I am hoping will come in the mail ASAP so that I can add some nautical and local flavor to my tank.  But, regardless of my desire to introduce more people to my pillows, the fundraiser really is going to be a snazzy little event.  I encourage all of you who ever went to Belle Isle as a kid, but never had the chance to take your own kids to get out there and and support the aquarium.  I don't this you will be disappointed!  

Violet: Color, Flower, Literary Character, and My Kid!

Names are pretty important to new parents.  Couples spend a lot of time trying to find the perfect name for a person they have never met.  It is hard work.  My husband said "no" to many of the names that I suggested.  And I certainly expressed my deep concern when Kevin suggested Vera and Pearl.  Vera and Pearl Mlutkowski?????  Anyway, it is hard to pick names.  However, most of the time names seem to fit the kid.  Mimi is actually an Amelia and I think her given name and nickname suits her well.  She is a smart, playful, sassy, caring, loves to please, and is beautiful little girl.  Violet is all the things that her sister is but a little more devious.  But, little did we know when we named her she has a literary and silver screen doppelganger.  


Have you ever read Charlie and Chocolate Factory or seen the movie, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory?  Do you remember the character Violet Beauregarde?  Well Violet is a gum chewing champ and she turns into a giant blueberry after eating blueberry pie gum.  She swells up in a giant blueberry and the Oompa Loompas have to take her down to the juicing room to return her back to normal.

Violet Beauregarde - this could happen to my own Violet!

We had planned to name our own Violet, Lucy.  About a month before she was born, Kevin said, "How about the name Violet?"  Sure, why not!  Well, we could not have picked a more appropriate name.  She loves the color purple even though we tried to steer clear of dressing her in too much purple.  Do you know how annoying it is to hear, "Oh, you named her Violet and you dress her in purple.  How cute!  Do you do that all the time?"  Uh no, I just liked the outfit.  But, she likes purple.  She also loves blueberries.  I am not talking about just enjoying blueberries.  The child can down a pint of blueberries a day.  At least blueberries are a super food!  Well, yesterday the child ate so many blueberries (frozen, fresh, and in pancakes) that she actually started to resemble Violet Beauregarde.  Blueberry stains around her mouth, her chin, cheeks, eyes, forehead - they were everywhere.

Violet -the Blueberry Monster!  This picture does not really show how
blue her face became after eating so many blueberries.

After dinner, we ventured outside to plant our flower, fruit, and veggie gardens.  The girls wanted to plant blueberries and strawberries this year.  They were so excited.  Mimi was a great help but Violet who looked like a walking blueberry stated, "I don't want to help.  I don't want to get dirty."  Interesting because she was covered in blueberry stains, snot, and dirt already.

Mimi - the Strawberry Monster planting strawberry plants.

Violet's blueberry plant

So, what is in a name and how does my name suit me?  Well, I basically believe that sometimes my name should mean lazy moron.  After planting I decided to water the gardens.  Even though I have not forgotten that I am dog-sitting for my parents, I did forget (or too lazy) to clean up dog poop! I dragged the hose across the backyard and watered my plants.  As I was putting the hose away I kept smelling something very nasty.  I realized there was poop on the hose, poop - not dirt on my hands, and poop on my clothes.  GROSSSSSSS!!!!!!  Ugh!  I cleaned myself up very quickly and my shoes spent the night outside.  When trying to clean my shoes this morning, I noticed what bad shape they are actually in.  Therefore, I am ditching my old shoes and trading them in or a new model.

Rather bold and clownish but, hey they are sooo comfy!

To quote one of my favorite comedians, Mel Brooks, "Every human being has hundreds of separate people living under his skin.  The talent of a writer is his ability to give them their separate names, identities, personalities and have them relate to other characters living with him."  I like this quote for a couple reasons.  We are not born in a vacuum.  We are the product of our parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings and all of their experiences. We are an individuals under constant influence.  Maybe that is why reading fiction is so fun.  The characters maybe imaginary but you know they could have existed, maybe just not so exaggerated.  So, isn't it fun when fiction and real life collide?  Whenever Violet eats blueberries, I often think that one these days an Oompa Loompa is going to have to take her away for juicing.  Maybe this thought is wrong, but it does make me smile!