Dancin' Machines

Yeah that's right. After a summer of not much dancing Kaisara & I have both jumped in with both feet. We started a West Coast series on Thursday nights where we've been taking the beginning (mostly a review) and the intermediate (holy cow that's some new territory!) classes. Most weeks we've even been staying for the dance afterwards just to cement our new moves into our little brains.

Two Saturdays ago we took a beginning Lindy Hop intensive course that was over 3 hours of class. It was a blast! We were totally tuckered by the end of it but we learned alot. Not many new moves but how to do them better & all the more important how to link them together. It was great!

I think we're going to be brave & try the intermediate Lindy class this Tuesday. Hopefully our toes (and egos) won't be too bruised after that experience.

In these last few dance filled weeks I've learned something about myself as far as dancing goes....I'm not very good. I can do coreography & be where you want me on what count you want me there. But social dancing? Not so good. Poor Kaisara has to lead me with an iron fist. He practically has to shove me around (& I've almost eaten it a time or two). But I'm learning to read his lead & he's learning to lead. So that's good.

The best part is we sure are laughing alot. Sometimes at each other. Sometimes at "us" being total goof balls. I think the teachers get a kick out of us and we really try not to be too disruptive but come on people, we're supposed to be having fun! Most of our classmates are so stoic & serious. I've been wearin' one of the most stoics down though. He's smiling now!

So we're having fun. We're learning alot. We don't look like much other than a couple having a great time with one another while trying not to fall down or knock each other out.

Oh Yeah. You Don't Know This Yet.

I've been meaning to post this but then think of myself as being a little narcissitic. Then I think I'll post it anyway & then I forget. Thus is the cycle of the Cate brain. I've started a Lucky Zelda blog. Not much goes on there but I'm trying. Anything to increase traffic of buyers to the shop ya' know. Anyway, I occassionally post things there Etsy related so if you'd like stop by from time to time.

Oh yeah, here's the link.

Pheww!

Wow! I'm glad that's over!

Yesterday was the big craft faire up in Claremont. It was crazy hot with no breeze but I had a good time. Lots of family & friends made the trek to stop by & say "hi" & encourage me. Priceless.

After the price of my booth & my sales I took home just over $250 so that's cool. I sold more than I ever have at a show (which was $0). So it was a good day & I'm glad I did it.

Thanks to everyone who supported me by stopping by with a smile, buying things (you're bad), letting me crash at your place, etc, etc. I love you guys!

Almost Here

The big shoe (as Ed Sullivan would call it)is this Saturday, October 25th. Some of you have expressed an interest in attending so I thought I'd give you my info.

I (We actually. I'm sharing a booth with another Etsian) will be in booth #494 which is located near the intersection of Bonita & Harvard Avenues in downtown Claremont. The show is open from 9am to 5pm rain or shine (I'm praying for shine!).

There's absolutely no pressure but if you do end up going to the show please stop by to say "Hey!"

More Famouser By The Minute

Check out this slideshow. The Orange County Register came & took some photos in our shop last week.

Irritated/ing

I'm finding that when people as a whole are irritating me I'm actually irritated with myself. I hate that.

Totally Hooked!

So I'm a little slow. I've been hearing about it for years. Daryl & Bronwen are both total geeks about the show. I've been hearing about it from Daryl while hanging out & from Bronwen at work. You'd think it would have happened sooner but I just watched it. BATTLESTAR GALATICA IS AWESOME!!! I love me some science fiction. I wish I could go back to the conversations of Daryl talking about it & now it would make sense & I'd get a glimpse of what is to come (and to be honest, I'd care a little more).

I borrowed Daryl's season one DVD's and blasted through them (though not as quickly as Kaisara). I could do without what I consider too graphic sex scenes. Adds nothing to the show other that "Man! I don't need to see that!!!" being said (not every episode). Other than that I've no complaints. It's exciting, good entertainment.

Now I've just gotta pry season two outta Dana's house.

Supporting Boobs

Yep. Today was the day. Today Team Galatians 6:10 participated in its 3rd Susan G. Komen Foundation Race for the Cure.

New to the team this year was Kathy, Ursula & our youngest member at 4 months of age, baby Avea. After a year off (of racing not supporting) Kathy & Becca returned to race with us. And three year veteranos Cat & I returned.

The weather was great. The event was awesome. The company couldn't have been better.

If by chance you're sad because you hadn't a chance to donate, buck up! You still can. Donations are being accepted until October 17th. Just click right here & you too can support boobs. Come on, whether you got 'em or not, I know you like 'em!

Sewin' Like a Crazy Person

Haven't had much time to post. I guess I've been sewing lots to take that time up. But come to think of it, I've been doing all of my sewing at work. I've been getting there early to sew on my purses & am sure to bring my lunch so I can eat quicker & have time to sew while still on my break. All of this to get ready for the giant craft show a little over a month from now. Anyway, I guess that doesn't explain my lack of posting. Perhaps I've not much to share. So in true Cate fashion I'll give you a list. Stream of conciousness of what's been on my mind:

Super excited Sharon's parents are soon to be here permanently.
Thankful that Emma's had her trach out for over a week & is doing great.
My workroom is a total disaster & I've been trying to make a dent in the mess.
Been sewing alot not knowing if it will sell.
Dana & Jeremey find out this week if it's a boy or girl. I'm betting boy.
Kaisara's cute, huh?
Nina the Ninja Kittie is feeling much better after a nasty kidney infection.
I'm glad summer Bible study is over & can't wait for Marci's study to start.
I miss Dani.
I wanna go dancin'. Haven't been in months, literally.
We (and by "we" I mean Kaisara) are going to install a ceiling fan in my workroom.
I gotta get started on Daryl's drapes. The elusive traverse rod is finally in possesion.
Sent Melanie off to South Africa for a year via Oregon for 4 months. Sad face/happy face.
Feel blessed that Daddy's feeling better but am still scared of the unknown. That's great for the prayer life though.
Start a HUGE show at work on Monday.
I should eat breakfast now.

I'm in! Come Up & Shop!

Several of you know, many may not. Back in June I sent an application to be a vendor at a huge craft show in the fall. I got a fellow etsian to share a booth with me 'cause the booth fee was crazy expensive & we sent in our applications & photos of our goods. We got in! It's the Village Venture in downtown Claremont.

It's a crazy big show. It's the 27th annual where last year 25 THOUSAND people walked through this thing. I'm excited. I'm scared. I've never done well at craft shows. I've never really sold a thing actually. If I don't sell anything at this one, I'm done with them. Now I've just gotta build up my inventory in hopes to sells some goods!

Here's a link to the show's sight. I'll post more info when the event's closer.

Gotta sew!

A Month To Go & Still Behind

I can't believe September's almost here. How did that happen?

I just got a reminder email from Susan G. Komen for the Cure that the Race for the Cure is just over one month away. For a third year, I'm heading up team Galatians 6:10.

With a month to go, I'm half way to my fundraising goal & am still looking for team members who would like to join me. Here is a link to my donation page where you can either join my team or financially support my participation to help find a cure for the "C" word.

Will It Ever Slow Down?

I'm SHOCKED! Shocked I say! It's been almost a month since my last post. That's just nonsense! Kaisara & I had a busy summer & I thought that was unusual. Apparently not. We've got something going at all times. Hard to say "no" when it's all good stuff though.

I'm back at SCR working on a new musical, An Italian Straw Hat. It sounds very cute & silly & not at all what you want to watch if you're looking for a deep meaningful theatre experience. Right up my alley!

Tomorrow's my birthday. The big 3-4. Wow! Not sure how that happened. Something's happening to celebrate but as the birthday girl, I'm not in the loop. Guess I'll just have to leave work looking as cute as I can & be ready for anything. Thanks to Cat & Kathy for taking me to birthday lunch on Sunday. I had a WONDERFUL afternoon with you both.

I'm awaiting to hear if Lucky Zelda has been accepted in to a gy-normus craft show. In order to apply I had to get a seller's permit. So now I've got to charge sales tax & stuff. I'm sure it'll be mucho more money to get my taxes done now. Oi! Anyway, the craft show people mail out the notices 08/29. The show's in November. Cross your fingers for me. Just in case, I've been trying to add to my inventory. It'll be exciting if I get accepted. I'll keep y'all posted.

Daddy had surgery on Monday. It was a long wait to get to the O.R. (months, in fact) but now that it's over he's doing much better. It's so hard to see your invincible Daddy hurting & there's nothing you can do to make it stop. Thanks for those who knew & prayed. For those of you that didn't know, I didn't leave you out intentionally, I promise. Life just is too busy.

Again I ask. Will it ever slow down?

Even with the no-fun stuff with Daddy, I can look at my life of 34 years & smile. I feel unbelievably blessed and wonder what I did to get handed a life such as mine. I'm loved beyond measure by family, friends, and most importantly, Creator.

Life is good.

New Muscial

Man! Do I have some perks in my line of work! I make beautiful dresses with ridiculously expensive fabrics & get to keep the trash-scraps. I get to ask handsome actors, "Can I help you with your pants" and not only not get sued but am often taken up on it. And I get to see some really great shows for my favorite price...free.

Weeks before working at CTG Katie asked me if I wanted to be her date & see a show she's been really looking forward to, "The Drowsy Chaperon" at The Ahmanson Theatre. I'd heard of it from Bronwen (who loved it). I said sure. Katie mentioned she thought she could get $20 tickets. I said, "even better".

Then I got the job at CTG. I wasn't working on "The Drowsy Chaperon" but on a show for the Kirk Douglas Theatre. I thought I'd be brave & put some feelers out for some tix to The Ahamanson. That didn't really go anywhere.

A couple weeks later (my stint there was only going to be 2-3 days) management said they got an email offering tickets to "The Drowsy Chaperon" to all staff. Me no staff. Me over-hire. I still almost jumped up from my sewing machine. ANYWHOOO...Not only did I get 2 tickets to the show, one of my co-workers didn't want hers since she'd seen the show (and loved it) & gave hers to me. Awesome.

Called Katie. Said hey! Our date is free & by the way I'm bringing a couple other folks. Kaisara & Daryl were down. So there we were. Then Katie (who started this whole thing in the first place) went to Florida to visit the parental unit. I invited Cat. She's down. Then Daryl had a work emergency & couldn't go. Called Kathy since her & Cat could car pool. She's down too.

So off we go. Kaisara & I carpooled with Iris & Johnny. Cat & Kathy would meet us there.

THE SHOW WAS SO AWESOME I CAN'T EVEN TELL YOU!!! The four of us were laughing out loud the whole time. We're still quoting it & laughing about it.

If you have an opportunity to see it, you should totally go. All I will say is don't wait for intermission to pee. And... there's a pair of roller skates.

I'd totally see it again right now. I'd EVEN pay for my ticket.

Kitty Background Story

So here's the story: Kaisara & I went to see "The Drowsy Chaperon" at the Ahmanson Theatre a couple weeks ago (that's another post). We carpooled with my co-worker Iris & her hubby, Johnny. After the show they were dropping us off at Kaisara's work to pick up our cars when Johnny noticed a kitty under Kaisara's car. When we got out I called to her & she seemed interested. I walked up to her & she walked right up to me. I snatched her up & called my sis. Jen said we had 3 choices: 1 let her go 2. take her home for the evening & take her to the Santa Ana shelter in the morning 3. take her home for the evening & lie to a no-kill shelter saying that we found her in their city.

Couldn't let her go. She'd get mushed by a car or eaten. Couldn't take her to Santa Ana shelter 'cause that's never a good idea for several reasons. Couldn't lie to another shelter 'cause that's just wrong. Soooo, officially we're fostering the kitty. Unofficially we'll keep her if she's a good fit to the family.

Jen checked her out. She's about a year old. She had ear mites (they've been eradicated). She doesn't have any intestinal parasites & any other coodies. She may however be pregers. We won't know for sure for a while (no pee-on-a-stick tests for kitties apparently).

Zelda's pretty scared of her. Not Zelly's fault though. You know with the sneak attacks from behind & the ninja style attacks from under the bed and all. Who could blame the 70+ pound dog fearing the dread of the 5 pound kitty.

She's a tortoise shell with beautiful green eyes. I think her head's a bit large for her scrawny little neck but she's a pretty thing. Sorry folks. No pictures for now since the camera's gone AWOL. Kaisara's to borrow one from his work tomorrow. I'll keep you posted.

I'll Start With A List

It's been a whirlwind of a couple weeks. The only way I can think to catch ya'll up without a mile-long post is a list. I'll try to come back with other posts to fill in the details. I'll start with the most recent flurry of activites & work backwards.

Mon., July 21st: Life's back to normal. Actually cooked dinner & started on Mt. Laundry. I'm officially out of clean chonies.

Sun., July 20th: Church, lunch w/new friends, tea w/Sewing Circle, dinner w/Kaisara's brother, Tony & his wife, Jennifer.

Sat., July 19th: Drop Kaisara off at worship team practice, go to pet store for kitty supplies, pick up Zelda from Mom & Dad's, pick up kitty from my sis' hospital, drop off Zelda & kitty at home, back to the pet store for proper kitty food, pick up Kaisara, go to Jeremy & Dana's for taco night/"Batman Begins", head to Big Newport for "Dark Knight".

Fri., July 18th: Work, head to OC fair for awesome fair food before seeing Train & The Wallflowers in concert, go on giant ferris wheel with Daryl.

Thurs., July 17th: Work & that's it! How'd that happen!

Wed., July 16th: Drop off kitty at my sis' hospital for a check up (she's probably pregnant), work, Bible study, dinner w/friends, realize it's Crista's b-day & I haven't sent her card (don't even have a current address).

Tues., July 15th: Work, call Mom to wish her a happy b-day, head to L.A. for dinner at Philepe's & show The Ahmanson, find stray kitty, take it home & start trying to find her a home.

Mon., July 14th: Work while recovering from 3-day weekend, water co-workers garden.

Sun., July 13th: Last day of vacation, enjoy 6 1/2 hour train ride home, unload car

Sat., July 12th: Happy 11th Anniversary to Kaisara & Me! 10+ mile bike ride (each way) to the beach & back again

Fri., July 11th: Leave for San Luis Obispo at 4:45AM, enjoyed the 6 1/2 hour train ride, rode 1 mile to our B & B.

Thurs., July 10th: Drop Zelda off at Mom & Dad's, work, call sis-in-law to wish her a happy b-day, water co-workers garden, pack for the weekend & realize the digital camera is lost.

Wed., July 9th: Work, Bible study, dinner w/friends

Tues, July 8th: Work, dance lesson in friends' livingroom, dinner afterwards

Mon., July 7th: Start new job, water co-workers garden & pick vegetables I wasn't supposed to.

Guess it's a mile-long post anyway. Oh no!!! Gotta go! Gotta pick up friend from airport! Guess it hasn't slowed down too much yet.

Doin' Great

Lack of posts have been due to a crazy-busy couple of weeks. Things should slow down a touch after this weekend. I'll fill you in then.

The great thing is, it's all been good stuff that's been keepin' me busy!

My First Treasury!

There's a thing on Etsy called treasuries. There's a limited number of them but if your timing's right, any Etsian can make one. They're little galleries of 12 items usually with a theme. Someone used one of my bags to include in their treasury! Here's the link, take a look! At leaset that explains why it's been viewed over 250 times. Now all I need is someone to buy it!

Work Update

I've been holding off on posting on all this because 1) I wanted to tell a dear friend before she just read it here but alas we haven't been able to end the game of phone tag & 2)I knew it'd be long & would take a while to type it all out. Now I've got you all excited about what it is, I'm sorry that it's not life changing news. Just news.

Here goes:
During my last 2 days at SCR my manager got a call from 2 costume shops that were looking for over-hire help. That's me! She gave them both my info since I was about to be fired there & would be available. The first was for Center Theatre Group (CTG). They're the shop for the Ahmanson, Mark Taper Forum & The Kirk Douglas. The second call was from Opera Pacific (who I worked for years & years ago as over-hire). I've been really wanting to get my foot in at CTG so I called them first. She didn't call back so I figured she wasn't interested. I took a week's worth of work at the opera. They're in Santa Ana (literally 1 1/2 blocks from my childhood house) so it's nice that they're close. The day before I started at the opera, CTG called & wanted me. Since I had already accepted the opera job I had to turn it down. Bummer. Longer gig, bigger shop. Oh well. I'm a woman of my word.

The week at the opera went great. No stress as I was just stitching & not making any decisions. Nice. At the end of the week the shop manager/designer asked if I had any experience cutting womens' wear or just mens'. I said that I almost exclusively do women's wear at SCR. She offered me the job of being the women's cutter for this opera (Barber of Seville). It's a really small show for women & she didn't want to hire a year-long contract just for this show. I said that I'm booked at SCR in the fall but if it was already cast & she had the measurements I could do it during the summer. She was so excited. I start that gig on July 7th (and I'll make more $ than I do at the office!). Super glad I got the Janet Arnold books as a SUPER generous gift, huh?!

After that I had 2 days at home & got a call from CTG. They had a last minute casting change & needed help. I've been up there for 1 1/2 weeks & have been invited back for their huge season coming up. My foot's in! The commute is a killer but I've been able to carpool with 2 other gals that I know from SCR. Still a long day. At 8am I ride my bike 4 1/4 miles to jump in the 1st car. We drive 1/2 hour up the freeway to pick up the next gal. Another hour on the freeway & we're there. Repeat in reverse for the way home except Kaisara picks me up at 7:30pm where I've parked my bike. As I said, I'm pretty booked at SCR in the fall but I told CTG I'd keep them posted.

While at CTG I bumped into another gal I've worked with & for in the past. She mentioned Laguna Playhouse might be swamped with work. I dropped an email (I worked briefly with them in the spring). I start there this Tuesday for 4 days of work. Awesome.

Three months of being unemployed has so for turned out to 2 days. I've only been to the office for 4 days. That reminds me, I need to call her & let her know it's gonna be a while 'til I'm back there.

I'm spoiled rotten I tell you. Spoiled rotten. Not taking a moment for granted.

Was Something Supposed To Happen?

I was brave. I was taking one for the team. The team wanted to see The Happening. I was willing (last time that resulted in a freaked out, motion-sick Cate after Cloverfield). I was scared, but willing. As you all know, me no likey suspense/scary. However, I did like Sixth Sense & Signs albeit at home with ALL of the lights on & laundry to deal with when i needed a break. But I was strong & went to see M. Night Shyamalan's latest. I knew that something was wrong for sure when half way through I realize I wasn't scared. I hadn't been scared the whole time. I wasn't even all balled-up inside wondering if it all was gonna turn out okay. What's wrong with me? Oh wait. It's not me. It's the lame movie. I'm all for an action movie. I'm all for a movie that is, as my sis' in law says, "too much story". But this one didn't have either. Nothing really ever happened. No action. No suspense. No scary. No story. No acting. Sigh.... No acting. Oh well. Guess I'll get my Kung Fu Panda on next weekend.

We Were Awesome

Kaisara & I took back-to-back dance classes tonight. 1st was the Charleston Swing (which we'd done a couple times before months ag0). 2nd was your standard Charleston. Rather hard to switch gears after rocking at the swingin' style for an hour. We did soooo good. In the first class it was us, another chick & 2 other guys. Nice & small. The teacher (& new owner of the studio) said the whole class needs to move up to intermediate Charleston Swing next time 'round. Oh yeah!

We were a little squeaky with the standard Charleston but since it was our 1st time out I'd say that's allowed.

The studio got bought a couple weeks ago & this was our first time back since the switch. The changes they've made to the classes & the space itself I very much like.

Don't you worry boys, Kaisara said he's having fun too. Getting him there is the tough part. Once he's there he has fun (he's good too). But that's how it is with anything that's not going out to eat, a movie or paintballing. We're awesome. Can't wait to go back!