I must admit I did plan on running that car into the ground, so I guess I did a good job. I don't understand though how a car that runs and all is worth only 95 dollars. In the end I only got 90 for it. If they ripped me off well than one day God can sort it out. That was one headache I needed to get rid of literally. I think the car was giving me headaches because the fumes were leaking into the car. No bueno. The transmission was slipping and then there's that little part about where I went over rail road tracks and the air bag blew up in my face and caught on fire. . I guess that's like 500 to fix all on its own. I always wondered what it was like to have an air bag go off on you. Well now I know. I didn't even hit anything so it was a big shock when it happened and there's all that white powdery stuff. And then I smelled burning. The metal plate on my steering wheel was some how super hot and was burning the air bag like a bag of popcorn that had been in the microwave too long. So I decided to pull over. . . since my window didn't roll down or anything. . .yeah. Time to die little car.
Things I will not miss about you: The window didn't roll down
The radio didn't work
The tape player didn't work. Yes I said TAPE player NO CD PLAYER
The air conditioning didn't work.
The heat broke 3 times last winter.
Only 4 seat belts so my daughter had to ride shotgun.
Transmission randomly shifting gears for seemingly no reason at all.
So yes. End of the line with you. And I feel sorry for the poor soul that gave me money for you. I hope they dismantle you and find ways to make you useful because as far as a car goes, your fired. Good riddance to old rubbish.
Seriously though its the end of an era. I got that car when I was 21. I had that car 14 years. It got hit by lightning and hence had serious problems with the electrical system I suspect thats why my radio was so spotty and then eventually gave out. It got hit by a semi truck on the toll road lucky he wasn't going that fast and stopped going into my lane when I blasted my horn. Got hit by another semi truck when it was on a side road it wasn't supposed to be on. Been rear ended a couple of times. Since I moved here the neighbor across the street hit it 2 or 3 times. A giant tree branch fell on it during a storm. And once upon a time I backed up into a pick up truck in the parking lot. And when my sister was getting married I bumped into a mini van. (I was nervous for her) Oh well. Now I owe someone way too much money but at least I have a car and can keep my job and can still be pretty much independent and take care of the kiddos.
How long have you had the same car for??
Monday, October 12, 2015
Saturday, August 15, 2015
Confessions of a florist
I got back into floral design. It's it a really great shop with really awesome people. Since I've been at a couple (okay 3) shops now I thought I might give anyone who cares some insight onto what it is like to be a florist. I know many people think "Oh what a fun job! I'd like to do that!" but you just don't know what it's really like till your there. Anyways on with the confessions:
1. The flowers designed in the front cooler are the same age as the flowers in the back cooler. Just because you are standing there personally watching someone put your vase together for you that doesn't mean its any fresher than the ones already made. Most times the ones in the display cooler are made earlier that same day.
2. "We just got this in" translates to . . it was in our last shipment. Most flower shops get one big order once a week and then "fill in" daily as needed with more flowers. Odds are if the flowers are open and beautiful we have had them in for at least 2 days, since they come to us all tight and thirsty from boo foo Egypt. A busier shop is going to have fresher flowers since they have to "fill in" more often with extra shipments, but with the way we process and keep the flowers in the cooler they don't really age much anyways.
3. Here's an interesting one for you, our flowers come packaged in Chinese newspapers. I don't think that the flowers actually come from China, but for some reason they are packaged in newspapers with all those cool Chinese letters all over them. Why? I do not know.
4. Roses are mean. So are Christmas greenery. Every rose has its thorn and in this case it's literally. They hurt. They will cut you. Especially during Valentines day rose strippers are a girls best friend.
5. You may grow to hate the holidays. Now me, I love the holidays because I love to be busy busy busy but some florists hate the holidays. They don't like doing the same arrangement 50 times in one day or heaven forbid they have to actually "work" all day. . you get the picture.
6. Your not going to like every arrangement. Even the very best designers don't like some of their own work. At least twice a day I look at something that I made and secretly hate it. There is no accounting for taste and you know, the customer is always right. Some of the things that Teleflora or whatever come up with are just straight out ugly. If you ever order flowers yourself say you want "designers choice" that allows the designer to pick the most beautiful flowers of the day and put them all in one classy arrangement.
7. You are on your feet ALL DAY. Get some good shoes. Your going to need them. Not too good though because most shops just throw all their stems all over the floor. I do love that part of my job. Make pretty things and just throw the rest on the floor we'll pick it up later. Good times.
8. Cleaning buckets stinks. As in smells bad. I don't know if its the chemicals in the flower food or the bacteria that starts growing after awhile but mix that with bleach and you got yourself the lovely stench of cleaning buckets. And you'll have a lot of them.
9. Making bows is the worst! Pinching that ribbon super tight and holding on while you craft the perfect bow (and on top of that I am left handed so the shears don't work till I am done and let go) and then twisting that wire. . was just talking about this today with my buddy it took us both about a year to make a passable bow. I still hate my bows. Not that they are bad or anything, I think I just hate them on principal. They can add to the appeal of an arrangement no doubt but after its all said and done you know that hard work is going in the trash.
10. You are doing God's work. Encouraging the sick, comforting those who mourn. Celebrating with those who celebrate and also helping that creepy guy stalk the bartender. . . all in one day! I am not going to lie it is fun and rewarding, but working with the public has its ups and downs. Especially when you are working with brides or those who have just lost a loved one its an emotional time and you have to be careful how you handle them. I think of it kind of like a doctor, do no harm. Just be there for them and support them and even if they want something you think is going to be straight out terrible (unless its a very very bad idea) make it work. A happy customer is a returning customer.
So there you have it. 10 confessions from a florist. I could get into the whole there's good shops to work for and there's bad shops to work for, but that's just about anywhere. Try to find a boss who's compatible with your way of thinking and every day will be a good one. Don't take it personally if someone doesn't like your arrangement. Everyone has different tastes. If this is something you still want to do, GO FOR IT but keep in mind there's no money in it. . I do it for the love of the work.
1. The flowers designed in the front cooler are the same age as the flowers in the back cooler. Just because you are standing there personally watching someone put your vase together for you that doesn't mean its any fresher than the ones already made. Most times the ones in the display cooler are made earlier that same day.
2. "We just got this in" translates to . . it was in our last shipment. Most flower shops get one big order once a week and then "fill in" daily as needed with more flowers. Odds are if the flowers are open and beautiful we have had them in for at least 2 days, since they come to us all tight and thirsty from boo foo Egypt. A busier shop is going to have fresher flowers since they have to "fill in" more often with extra shipments, but with the way we process and keep the flowers in the cooler they don't really age much anyways.
3. Here's an interesting one for you, our flowers come packaged in Chinese newspapers. I don't think that the flowers actually come from China, but for some reason they are packaged in newspapers with all those cool Chinese letters all over them. Why? I do not know.
4. Roses are mean. So are Christmas greenery. Every rose has its thorn and in this case it's literally. They hurt. They will cut you. Especially during Valentines day rose strippers are a girls best friend.
5. You may grow to hate the holidays. Now me, I love the holidays because I love to be busy busy busy but some florists hate the holidays. They don't like doing the same arrangement 50 times in one day or heaven forbid they have to actually "work" all day. . you get the picture.
6. Your not going to like every arrangement. Even the very best designers don't like some of their own work. At least twice a day I look at something that I made and secretly hate it. There is no accounting for taste and you know, the customer is always right. Some of the things that Teleflora or whatever come up with are just straight out ugly. If you ever order flowers yourself say you want "designers choice" that allows the designer to pick the most beautiful flowers of the day and put them all in one classy arrangement.
7. You are on your feet ALL DAY. Get some good shoes. Your going to need them. Not too good though because most shops just throw all their stems all over the floor. I do love that part of my job. Make pretty things and just throw the rest on the floor we'll pick it up later. Good times.
8. Cleaning buckets stinks. As in smells bad. I don't know if its the chemicals in the flower food or the bacteria that starts growing after awhile but mix that with bleach and you got yourself the lovely stench of cleaning buckets. And you'll have a lot of them.
9. Making bows is the worst! Pinching that ribbon super tight and holding on while you craft the perfect bow (and on top of that I am left handed so the shears don't work till I am done and let go) and then twisting that wire. . was just talking about this today with my buddy it took us both about a year to make a passable bow. I still hate my bows. Not that they are bad or anything, I think I just hate them on principal. They can add to the appeal of an arrangement no doubt but after its all said and done you know that hard work is going in the trash.
10. You are doing God's work. Encouraging the sick, comforting those who mourn. Celebrating with those who celebrate and also helping that creepy guy stalk the bartender. . . all in one day! I am not going to lie it is fun and rewarding, but working with the public has its ups and downs. Especially when you are working with brides or those who have just lost a loved one its an emotional time and you have to be careful how you handle them. I think of it kind of like a doctor, do no harm. Just be there for them and support them and even if they want something you think is going to be straight out terrible (unless its a very very bad idea) make it work. A happy customer is a returning customer.
So there you have it. 10 confessions from a florist. I could get into the whole there's good shops to work for and there's bad shops to work for, but that's just about anywhere. Try to find a boss who's compatible with your way of thinking and every day will be a good one. Don't take it personally if someone doesn't like your arrangement. Everyone has different tastes. If this is something you still want to do, GO FOR IT but keep in mind there's no money in it. . I do it for the love of the work.
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Good news Etsyians. . .Etsy is finally up to code and legal . .only 7 months AFTER the law went into effect
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Friday, July 17, 2015
Just another reason why the government is BROKEN.
Where do I even start? I guess I'll start at the part where people tend to look down on you if your on government assistance. How most people tend to forget that once upon a time many people who are currently on assistance had jobs and paid into the system of witch they are now stuck relying on. How kids who get free lunches tend to get picked on.
Never in my life did I think I'd be someone who needs government help. I didn't plan to be divorced with 3 kids. I hate being on it. I don't want to be on it. So I started Crochet By Mel in hopes that I could earn enough where I wouldn't need it. Where I could work from home and watch my own kids and do something to improve our lives. Needless to say it didn't really work out. Sales are slow (especially so in the summer) to non existent at times. Yet the stupid system sends me all this paperwork from time to time to hurry up and make sure I am not making enough to get off of their "help" They want my sales figures, my bills and expenses, how much my material costs, tell you what its more work satisfying those guys than it is actually running a business.
Now after 5 long years the kids will be going into school and I was lucky enough to land a job. Not anything big, not even anything full time, but its a JOB and its mostly during the time when the kids will be in school. Haven't even been there 30 days and I got big brother breathing down my back to see how much I am making there and how many hours. Barely even got my foot in the door now I have to turn in these papers for my boss to fill out that ask questions like "Was the employee terminated? Did they quit?" Do they get health insurance? Do they get tips? How often do they get paid? How many hours do you think they are going to work in the next month?
Seriously??? Way to humiliate people who are trying to get a job and get off your blessed assistance. I wish I could look into my crystal ball and know how many hours I'll be working next month, if I'll be lucky enough to get more hours, if maybe someday I'd get a raise, or if someone would give me a tip. Dear big brother I sincerely hope who ever created these stupid laws that waste time and make people want to quit their jobs just so they don't have to deal with you I sure hope someday you get fired. And that you need assistance. And that you can be standing in millions of American's shoes who are just like me trying to make things better for my family. And I am not even going to get into this alleged "daycare assistance" program that every time I call to try and see if I can get help with that they tell me the list is closed and doesn't exist. How is anyone supposed to work when the cost of daycare for one child is 75% of what they would make? Got more than one kid? Forget about it. Your paying MORE than you'd make for daycare. Why? Does that make sense to you? Meanwhile hardworking stay at home moms get paid NOTHING. . . and bonus many people who don't have kids look down on them and call them lazy because they aren't "working"
I get it. People lie. People say they don't make what they make and food stamp and welfare and all that fraud is all over the place. But can someone please tell me if Big Brother can look and see I have a job BEFORE I EVEN GET ONE MONTHS WORTH OF CHECKS why can't they look and see how much I made as well? Why is it the left hand never knows what the right hand is doing? Why is it if you don't go to the office and have them fax it directly to the person in charge of your case it magically doesn't get done in time and then bam you have no benefits. Shaking my head doesn't even begin to describe it. . .
Thursday, July 9, 2015
The Best Summer Ever
I have vowed to make this summer the best summer ever for me and the kids. This week has been a blast. The boys are doing pretty awesome in Kinder Kamp and even my little trouble maker is only one green face away from getting a treasure from the teachers treasure box in School. On Monday after school (was it Monday? or Tuesday? I don't know. .. . ) we went to the beach. It was super fun. Interestingly enough though the beach was moved about 20 feet because of all the rain we've had so far this year it flooded out the beach for a good 20 feet. Probably not a big deal in the grand scheme of things but it was pretty interesting to me I knew we had a lot of rain but to move lake Michigan 20 feet. . . it must have been more than I thought. The water was cold but we loved it anyways. They asked me if we could go to the beach every time the day was hot enough and being only 10 minutes away . . I said sure :) On Tuesday I think we did big fat nothing. . . my favorite! Yesterday I took them all to McDonald's playland and they all played to their hearts content. Just because its a rainy day that doesn't mean that you can't play .. .then today I get to work my most favorite job ever for a half a day whoo hoo!! Make pretty things to cheer people up. Tomorrow we are all set to see the Minion movie. I never seen the other 2 but the kids seem pretty excited to see this one. . . hopefully they will all behave so we can actually watch it. . so that was one week of the best summer ever. .. too bad its so short. Awe well best make the most of it. .
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