Weekend market

Song of the day: “The Banana Boat Song” by Harry Belafonte. Still love that one, and it is entertaining to have tumbling around in my head.

Ah, the weekend. Though I am clearly on a weekend break for the blog these days, those very days are so busy that I doubt I’d even have the time to write the darn thing. Hah.
So yeah, Saturday morning. *sigh* It was still dark when I woke from the alarm. Don’t you just hate winter? The days get to be so friggin’ short, darn it. But anyway, twilight took about fifteen minutes to arrive before I’d taken care of the morning rituals and shuffled down to the courtyard. Once there I stopped dead in my tracks and look up at the pool. Arms filled with towel and outfit for the day I debated a full washing session in the shower, or a quick wake-up dip in the pool…I went for the latter. Seriously, showering takes soooo long, and I liked the idea of speed so much that I didn’t even mind that the pool water is greener than a frog. Hah. Almost forgot my coffee again, rushed through breakfast (grandpa made pancakes) were on our way…and had to go right back because both Cousin Ed and I forgot our phone. Ran down to my cabin, back up again and headed out. Yay.
Arrived only five minutes late and started to set up. We had more with us this time, so it took us at least two hours to set up. So hard to set things up in a way that I liked it. Strange how one day from the other different colorschemes go, eh. But anyway, it all looked nice and such, we managed to fit everything in, and when we discovered we forgot pen and paper, the nice lady who organizes the market offered to print our “discount” and “reserved” cards for us.

Not a very busy day, though there was some attention for both Tika Art and my tie dyes. In fact, we sold three of them, which was nice to see. A good place for tie dye, I tell ya. All that beach stuff, eh? Also sold a toy monkey. Was so cute to see the little boy run around with it through the remainder of the afternoon. Wrapped around his neck and head, dangling down his chest. He looked proud as heck. Hah.

I took an hour and a half in the afternoon to withdraw to the restaurant and do some writing. Went rather well, actually. Managed to write down a solid five pages where it became clear that my heroine used to be a Trekie in her tweens, doesn’t like authority, and that my “bad guy” military dude has a new assistant he needs to “break in”. Life is just full of surprises, isn’t it?

The lady who’d made the order the previous week, came to pick up her dog bed. Turns out something went wrong with the order. She wanted a square, not a rectangular bed, but she took it regardless. Later she came back with the intention of having us put aside one of the big beds (she wanted to gift it to her mom) for next week, or the week thereafter. Since that was a pretty steep order, I decided to give her a break and offered to take back the “wrong” bed, so mom could make a new one for her with the right sizes and the silver she kept insisting on.
The bed that was made was gorgeous enough for me to be confident that we’ll be able to sell it at some point regardless.

On the overall the market went well, and by the time we’d packed up again it was close to six in the afternoon. There was a bit of a rush to get home where the younger sibs are undoubtedly waiting to pack up for the Sunday Market. We unloaded our half, and started packing the Opel with wagon for the Sunday market at Funny Beach Marbella, this time with a lot less merchandise, since the amounts are halved, and the gaps filled with second hand stuff like baby clothes and such.

I have been using an occasional half hour here and there to read a review book. This time Adam Siffre with “I’ve been deader”. It’s seriously whacky, and fun to read…I just don’t have much time for it lately. *sigh*

But anyway, I was in bed at one, passed out, and was startled awake seven fifteen when it was time to get up for the Sunday market. Yay. There was the coffee bit, the breakfast, and off we were, once more, only to discover that the market soap had started. Other stand folks had gotten upset that the organizer hadn’t informed them beforehand that she wanted to relocate them to a different spot. Turns out they got our stand, meaning that we got relocated instead, because she figured we wouldn’t hassle her. We didn’t, of course, because it was a nice challenge to see if we could make this stand look good too. We could. But it’s a lucky thing that it was the Sunday market and not the Saturday market, because seriously, carrying the big load that far would have been nothing less than a massive biatch. Hah.

But here are some pix for both days. See for yourself.

Saturday



This one too. We had a crooked Z.


Sunday


And this will be our stand next week. (Cute, eh?)


It's to make up (I think) for the misunderstanding with the stand, and otherwise...well, it'll be fun anyway.
My head is already busy setting everything in place. Hah. I’m bonkers that way. But I tell ya. When I was a kid, I had fantasies of setting up the windows in a shop. I’m getting all the freedom I need to live out that little fantasy.

But anyway, we’ll see about that next week. Until then…my head better shut up.

Leaving Cousin Ed in charge of the stand I headed out to Benahavis again to check out that market there…I didn’t like it. Not as a artsy thing anyway, which is basically what the Tika art stuff is. Benahavis, though paradise for the bargain hunter like myself (got two pants for 2 bucks, a skirt for 1 buck, and two books for 1, yay) is not suited for the dog beds and quilts. I chatted with several stand holders (pumped them for information while purchasing my books and pants) who informed me that even though the sales are pretty good, you’ll be lucky to sell everything that costs more than 3 bucks. *sigh* Not a celebrity in sight either…or maybe I just didn’t see them searching for bargains. LOL
Good thing I like Funny Beach, so far…heck, we even had music yesterday. Hah.

On the way back, something flew in my eye, still don’t know what, and arrived two and half hours after departure back at the stand.
But anyway, we ended the day having sold several baby clothes, and one of the Tika art purses. We offered to pay at least half of the two days, but the organizer said that we might as well agree that for as long as the market doesn’t go extremely well yet, we’re not paying them for the stand. I like that to pay my way, but I’m not stupid. That money is needed for our four legged palls after all.

Loading went a lot faster this time too, seeing as we could load everything up into the wagon rather than having to bring it all to the car and do that there. Rather good that, otherwise we would have had to do that with a wheelbarrow and our backs. *sigh*

Once at home it was time to unload (with some help from the younger sibs), get some dinner (big brother made mac & cheese with some veggies) some chats online, followed by a very late jog because I really had to unwind. Jeez. Then, of course, I put on my wrong sneakers (the ones with the rounded soles) meaning that my jogging was limited to say the least. *double sigh*

My dogs are feeling a little neglected at the moment, my poor darlings. Knight II is trying to eat my clothes, Chaos is peeing in the cabin (and I think he has a bladder infection, so I need to keep an eye on that) and the rest…well, they’re just acting all hurt and such. They know how to play it well, I assure you. I feel very guilty.

Came home to pass out and slept almost through ‘til nine in the morning. Yay. My eye’s a little swollen and hurts like heck, but it’s still there, so, that’s a-okay then. Hah.
Spent the morning on the normal chores, feeding the dogs, breakfast and helping tenant before she went down to spend the afternoon with mom. Then I washed both the cars, because it was starting to get embarrassing to travel in them, at which point I had to help big brother set the poles by Sally’s cabin for the wooden barrier we’re planning to place there while grandpa made pancakes for lunch.

That done, we headed or town to do some groceries for mom and the sibs and speak with mechanic about the leak we found under the car. Apparently it has something to do with that problem we had the last time. Let’s just keep our fingers crossed it’s not serious...but then knowing my luck lately, it will be. Aaaargh. We have an appointment on Thursday, and since I still smelled the petrol fumes in the back of the Opel we decided to drive by tomorrow with that so he could check if it was all okay.

Once at home, the groceries unpacked the end of the day arrived. Made spaghetti and sauce (half of it, anyway, cousin Ed finished it.) There was still dog food to chop, but it went well. Wrote about half a page of the book (seeing as my concentration was shot today) and then started on the blog. I’ve gotta go. I need sleep and my eye still hurts like heck. Grrr.

Full schedule

Song of the day: “We are young” by Fun. Not my fav from this particular band by any means, but it will do on most occasions. At least, there are worse ear worms. Hah.

I’m writing the blog a little early today. I’ve got a spare minute right now, three in the afternoon, and since I do want to do some writing still tonight, it’ll have to be now.

Still working on the porch thing for Sally’s cabin. It is looking infinitely cute, if you must know (I took pics, don’t worry), very much a Swiss cabin, which is a perfect image for a woman in her condition. Really a retirement cabin. Hah. I will show, one of these days. Only thing left to do is finish the balustrade and lay the tar roof.

Had a most peculiar nightmare yesterday. I wish I remembered enough of it to write it all out (it was a doozy for a story) but since I don’t I can only intimate that there was a psychopath, a big mansion somewhere in the middle of nowhere, a woman captured in the basement and no way for her to get out. There was also something about sacrificing babies, somehow. Ah well, ya gotta love the horror stories. Hah.

So, what else. There was the normal stuff, dishes, laundry, cleaning up, etc, but that really isn’t all that interesting, is it. I did write a page or so, yesterday, which means that I should be getting over my funk a little. At least I only mixed up names only twice. What annoys me at the moment, is that the last time I worked on this book, I had made lists with information about the characters, settings and all that jazz, only to be unable to find them now, when I need them. Very frustrating, I assure you.

Added to that, I was feeling very lethargic yesterday, which doesn’t work well, if you must know. It was like moving through molasses, which is odd, all things considered. The weather has cooled off some, and there are some clouds since yesterday. Did take a nap yesterday, so that made me function marginally better. Right after we headed for town to do some groceries, which took quite some time since we had to find shoes for both grandpa and Sally.
Once we were back, had a late supper, and settled for some writing, the day came to a gratifyingly quick end.

Which brings us to today. Started off early, with the usual such as laundry, feeding the dogs and feeding myself. Next I prepared the chickpea patty dough (Cousin Ed keeps calling them Sam burgers, but I’m not sure yet) and a sauce for tomorrow…did you realize yet that tomorrow it’s the weekend, meaning we’ll be out for two solid days again. *sigh* Market day: Let’s see how it goes this time…and hope that on Sunday the one near Benahavis will be open.

But I’m drifting, where was I? Oh yes, the patties. That done, it was time to unload the Land Rover (didn’t take the time to do that last night) before heading for the old paddock where mom’s shelving unit for her market had to be fixed and put back together. That took about an hour on my part, followed by heading back inside to load the Land Rover up for tomorrow.
Both Cousin Ed and I got that done in about one hour, at which time I headed down to start on this blog.

Soon it’s time to start cooking. Planned on pumpkin mush to put on the patties with some cauliflower on the side, but we’ll see how that goes. With a little luck we can then just binge on French fries tonight. Hah.

Well, that’s it for now. At the moment my dogs are clustered around my feet and driving me bonkers. Grrr. I need to start moving about fast before my six hours of sleep during the night has me fall asleep right here. *sigh*

A funk

Song of the day: “Both Sides Now” by Orla Fallon, for a change. Though Hayley Westenra’s and Paul Young feat Moya Brennan are still my favs, this particular Irish singer does give it a nice twist.

So I’m not really in the mood to write the blog today. My problem, at the moment, is that, despite my best intentions, I’ve sagged into a bit of a slump due to finishing the book. *sigh* It is a difficult thing, finishing a writing project (no matter that it still needs to be edited a gazillion times), some of them just hit you when you least expect it. You’ll be focusing on trying out a new plot, and bahm! Where the new heroine’s name is supposed to be, the old one screams a vicious warning. Blasted muscle memory. In half a page of writing, I had to delete the wrong name five times, for crying out loud.

Ergo a funk. I had hoped to avoid it by stepping in the new story within a day, but it wasn’t supposed to be. I miss Conner and Piper. I miss the Greek mythology, the gods, titans and Cyclops, in particular since this new story is going to be aiming for sci-fi with very little romance in it, while it will be heavy on the plot. Like many of my books, this one will be based on some long ago dream. An alien creature finding a source for his curiosity on earth. I will be looking into astronomy, NASA and all those pesky little details that tend to take up so much time when starting on a new book. *double sigh*

Let’s hope that this funky feeling doesn’t take too long. I hate sitting in front of the computer tapping at the keys and then hitting the delete button all the time. Also every other sentence, I’m stopping. I need to describe something about my character, but then realize that in my head she’s not actually there yet…or him for that matter. So I worked on that most of the evening. I’ve decided on a heroine along the lines of Irene Bedard, and for the hero a somewhat slender Chris Hemsworth. (Easier to pick a picture to keep them solid in your mind.) I’m sorry. I can’t help it. That’s how he’s showing up in my head. But as the story actually gets started, he might change some yet.

Okay, enough writer troubles. However frustrating, I will figure it out at some point, I’m sure…I think…I hope. Hah.

Right. Yesterday. I don’t know how well I’ll manage to narrate yesterday, considering my mind is blurry, and my diary not all that legible since I was already dropping off while I wrote it it…darn it.

But anyway. In regards to Sally’s treatment, and the mile long list of things she should and can’t do, we’ve decided to bring the overhang of her porch up to the top of the to-do-list. So for the past couple of days, (yesterday and today) we’ve been working on that. First the support beams and the horizontal ones for the roof, and of course painting, lots and lots of painting. There were beams to paint, slats and saw horses, most of which Sally insisted on helping. She wants to keep busy and is doing it somewhat zealously. Since it appears to keep her somewhat centered, and in a better mood, I can’t say I object.

Besides the painting (am covered in paint) and the carpentry, there was the cooking. Yep. Two meals were made, one consisted of leftovers with a wonderful dessert made of fresh apples and pears, boiled in butter caramel (white and brown sugar) some almond extract, cherry liquor, vanilla and some other spices that worked really, really, REALLY well as a dessert. In particular the cream I put through it. Gawd. Then today there was potatoes with chard and cheese, with a nice salad on the side, because let’s face it, Sally needs loads of raw foods. The lot went down well.

Tenant enjoyed both meals too, but at the moment she’s tired a lot because she’s spending a lot of time with mom in the house, meaning she’s walking up and down a lot.

While Sally cut yesterday’s dog food veggies, I did that today after cooking supper. Seeing as grandpa and big brother were out to fetch a new batch of vegetables, there really wasn’t a lot of choice in that matter. But it went fast, and before I knew it I was ready and headed down for a quick dip in the pool.

Did have a good jog yesterday evening. Went the distance, ran long stretches and even managed to go past the jogging pace. Yay.

Chaos is somewhat chagrined with me at the moment. I’m not really sure why yet…well, maybe I am. You see, he’s not happy with the fact that when he gets fed, I won’t let him eat his fill (he’s got fat issues), which in turn makes him grumpy and snarl at the other dogs. The other day he wrecked Kolossus’ ear by biting her. Then, today, when I sent him out of the eating area, he did it again, but this time to Bambi. That is not nice of the Chaos, and I will have to get firmer with him. Can’t having wreck the other dogs with his grumpiness.

There was some yard work, but only minor. Really not a lot of time at the moment, and gratefully Cousin Ed volunteered to water what needed to be watered.

Other than that there were just the normal chores. Boring, predictable if you’re forced to read about them. If you live through them, they’re not all that bad, in fact.
Well, I gotta go. I need and early night, if I can manage it. Hah.

Some pics, just because

First off on the pics. The Winter wall of the carport. Doesn't it look cute?


Song of the day: “Son of a preacher man” by Aretha Franklin. I started humming it for fun the other day, and it has been popping up in my head ever since. *sigh*

So yeah, it’s been a busy couple of days…well, three of ‘m technically, but since two of them were away from home, we’ll start with those.

Saturday:

It started off early, seeing as we had to travel all the way to Marbella before nine in the morning. Didn’t sleep all that well, so by the time the alarm went off I stumbled out of bed and headed linea recta to the pool for a quick dip that was supposed to wake me up. It didn’t despite it being ridiculously cold. Got dressed, slurped at my coffee and then headed on up, grateful to discover that cousin Ed had managed to prepare me a couple of sandwiches.

Arrived at the market at the appointed time and managed to get the car in close to where we needed to be. The spot we got was surprisingly spacious, and, in hindsight, probably even better than the last one, since this is a corner and kids don’t use it as a detour.
The market organizer lady is a nice one, and made us feel right at home as we set up. Took us about an hour and a half to get it all done properly. The color schemes had to fit, the types of products properly organized to complement each other, and by the time it was done the folks who’d ordered the dog bag arrived. The first thing we saw was Sasha, the adorable Yorkshire terrier that heard me make kissy noises and came barreling down under the table, to leap in my arms. Adorable little thing.
They liked the bag, so…phew…paid the price, and proclaimed that they were likely to come back at some point for a matching bag for Sasha, and maybe one of the dogbeds. They also told us of a very nice market in Soto Grande, which would be perfect for us, if not for the fact that it would be a two hour drive to get there, ergo the price of a single dog bed just to get there. Such a pity.
Chatted a bit and were then left to continue with our day. Luckily there is plenty to see at a place like Funny beach, so in between we had plenty to do. Was a ridiculously slow day, but it didn’t matter, because at a certain point there was this very, very nice German woman who started looking through the dog beds, (very thoughtful like) and said, “I’m going to take this one.” I was pretty happy with that, and was already looking for a bag when she added, “I think this one,” while pointing at another. I nodded, gave a silent sigh, and grabbed that one and then…” definitely this one,” the woman said, at which point it started to get through to me that she was aiming to buy several beds. So there she went, “that one, that one, that one, and that…no, no, this one.” I could only raised my brows as I tapped Cousin Ed on the shoulder and had her help me bag the things and ring ‘m up, so to speak. The woman explained that normally she would try to negotiate a better price when doing such a big purchase, but since she thought the prices fair, she was taking them as they were. Big relief, that, not to mention allowing us to relax for the remainder of the day since we by far surpassed our quota. Hah.
Later we also got an order for yet another bag, with a down payment of half the price, so it was a pretty successful day.
Got another tip for a market, and since we decided that we wanted to try the Sunday Market as well (phoned the “production department” first if it was at all doable in regards to the amount of bags) we agreed that after setting up the next day, I’d take the car (Opel this time, since the Land Rover is mom’s and the sibs’ on Sunday) and check it out. Supposedly there are plenty of buyers over there (Benahavis) including the odd celebrity. Weird idea that. A celebrity on a flea market. Hah.
But anyway, with that agreed upon, we reserved a spot for Sunday and continued on. Not much more sales that day, but lots of interest for my tie dyes, some attention for the snugglies, and on the overall a nice day spent chatting with loads of folks.
Lots of the other sellers didn’t sell at all, and had the organizer a little upset because basically everyone had talked her into adding Saturdays to the flea market that she usually only did once every two weeks on a Sunday.
Some folks just don’t understand that you need patience for markets that are just starting out. Folks need to know that they’re there, before the show up.

Here's the market for ya. All set up with the first bit of sunshine arriving in the morning.


The other side.


In the back there is the pillar that holds all the purses. They get plenty of attention.


And the snuggly with bag and baby blanket that I set up as a center piece on Sunday.


The Chaos because...well, just because. Hah. He noticed the camera the blasted beast.



By the time the end of the market arrived we had a lot less to pack and were on our way home around five thirty. We’d already sorted through the merchandise, and once there we could basically grab out a few bags and transfer it to the trailer for the Opel. Next we loaded the remainder of the baskets and whatnots for Sunday. Didn’t finish with that until twilight fell. Was properly tired at the end. Did manage some writing but decided to crash around one in the morning and did so passionately. Hah.

Sunday:
Didn’t go as smoothly. In fact, a lot went wrong. We forgot some stuff for the tables and if we hadn’t been able to borrow them at Funny Beach we’d have been in a lot of trouble…well, we were, seeing as, for the first time since standing on that market, we didn’t. Sell. A. Single. Thing. Hah.
It seriously cracked me up. I mean, really. There were plenty of folks (like this very celebrity-type dad, organizing a b-day party for his kid with about six moms fluttering around him. Kept us better entertained than a soap opera, I tell ya.) and yet none of them was there to spent more than a buck or two, and eat at the restaurant of the place. Very strange. There was loads of interest, people oohing and aahing, touching, pointing, and…nothing, nada zilch.
Luckily mom and the zips did a lot better and sold double the usual.

You’d think I would be bummed, but I wasn’t. I refuse to let “sales” affect my mood and arrived at home just barely on time to partly unload the car before big brother and I headed out to pick up a donation of food for the dogs. By the time we got home, it was quickly to work on the computer, and then out again for a jog that I really, really needed.
I actually broke my own record and ran more than half a mile at a single piece. I did a happy dance, thank you very much.

Was in bed on time again, because let’s face it, after the run I was so tired I could barely keep my eyes open.

Which brings us to today.
Also busy, but more in the normal way. There was laundry, dog food, and then helping tenant since caregiver took Sally to hospital for her first round of chemo. (Took all, day, since they put her on a five hour drip of fluids that are going to wreck everything inside her. Scary stuff if you read about all it does. I don’t think I’d have the guts to do chemo.) Helped her change and then walked her down to the house so she could visit with mom.
What followed was a trip into the yard where I watered plants and then watched the dogs while big brother cut down the big eucalyptus that has been stealing the water for the veggie yard most of the last three years.
Got to saw, got to use the axe, and then went up with the day’s harvest and a trunk to get started on supper.

Here are the pics.

The tree.


Before. So proud, so fierce...and a total thief when it comes to water.


After. So sad.


Down like a tree, eh?


Lotsa firewood, though. Hah.


*sigh* What else...?
Experimented a little with beef again. Marinated it in cherry liquor with soy sauce and fresh thyme, and admittedly it didn’t go bad at all. Didn’t manage to eat more of it than my usual quarter, but since big brother has less trouble eating the stuff, nothing was lost.

Supper done, we had to go out again for another donation, and didn’t come home until after nine at which point I reheated supper and then headed down to do my messages, try for some writing, and do the blog. Managed the last, just barely, but what the hey.

A pretty shot from the rainy days.


The porch for the cabin


And that's it. I gotta get to bed, thank you very much.