Cathy Has Something To Say

Settling In

2009-02-09T08:34:00.002-08:00

It has been just over a week since I moved into my new digs. And I love it. I am not surprised.

Even though the old place was new, had high-end finishes with brand new appliances and a view of the rolling orchard fields all I felt when I was there was resentment. I resented the twentysomethings that were void of basic respect that is expected when living in a communal environment. Parties, open vulgarity (not respecting the presence of a woman in the elevator and using foul language - my Dad would have put those punks in their place), vandalism (my truck was broken into two nights before I moved ...I thought nothing was taken until I went to put on my prescription sunglasses), and did I mention the parties? There was so much more and my resentment was fueled by every little thing that I knew I could no longer live there.

So here I am in my new place. It is a 3 year old carriage house in the first block that tranistions the downtown area to residential and it faces the alley. Yeah, a totally different breed of human being lives down here. What I love is that it is an old neighbourhood, I live on the second floor and I am surrounded by trees which means lots of filtered light and a nice breeze without fearing my windows open. It is quiet. I don't share a bedroom wall with the lucky bastard that lived next door to me and I have a garage. A nice garage where I can paint furniture. This thrills me more than I can say.

I am still nesting but when I am done I will put up some before and afters. The past tenants were disgusting.

Hooked UP!

2009-02-03T17:44:00.002-08:00

It is hard being without the internet, cable TV and the phone. From Friday until this morning I was without all of them. In between unpacking and cleaning I watched 4 movies, which is not the same. I need me some evening news. I would have been beside myself if I wasn't able to watch American Idol tonight.

So here I am in my new shack. I love it even though it isn't the fancy granite counter tops and the stainless appliances or a nice new high efficiency stacking laundry pair but it has a nice big soaker tub, the water pressure is good and I totally love my slanted ceiling bedroom. I am starting to nest most definitely.

The above shots are just 2 of a good 2 dozen shots Kelly had done of her jewelry. The photographer is so good for an amateur and his wife is gorgeous. Kelly is addicted. It is so neat to see your work like it is presented here. It almost makes us feel professional ...which we are of course but seeing it in print is so different - it gives the jewelry validity. When I see my furniture or the goodies I have in the store in print it makes me feel ...successful. Feeling and looking successful is half the battle of BEING successful. Its like the newbie realtor driving around in a rented BMW while showing real estate to potential clients. Looking the part gives you an upper hand I think.

Glad to be back online ...but its time for dinner ...I am starving!

Out Like A Lion

2009-01-29T22:25:00.005-08:00

Just moments after I posted yesterdays entry a convoy of fire trucks rounded the corner and then into our complex...well the first one did and the 2 that followed hovered around the entrance. An ambulance arrived shortly after and a few more fire trucks after that. Even the ladder truck. There was no immediate hauling of the hoses or no visible flames shooting from a window. I couldn't of course see the entire building as there is one between mine and the one involved. I counted 5 firetrucks including the ladder truck. The trucks weren't leaving after a short while and my curiosity got the better of me.

I dressed and went outside in below freezing weather and all the tenants of the involved building we shivering outside ...some lucky to have a hoodie, or is it hoody, and a pair of shoes. As it happened there was a small kitchen fire on the second floor and the sprinklers came on which distinguished the fire immediately but kept on sprinkling ...flooding the apartment over 6 inches in just a few minutes with more coming. Meanwhile it is leaking down the hall and down through the baseboards and leaking to the 1st floor. In all 10 apartments were damaged ...4 severly. A few of those apartments had tenants and so many tenants never think about insurance. If you own you can't get a mortgage without insurance but tenants contents are not covered under the owners insurance.

For around $30 and up per month, depending on your valuation, you can insure yourself and your belongings with tenant insurance to be covered against this kind of unforseen disaster. With the way these condos are popping up so fast they must be no better than glued together ...you would be silly not to insure you and your belongings.

Just one more reason I am glad to be leaving here. I get nervous when I am counting on the same person that will throw a used condom off their balcony to be responsible with cigarettes, candles and electrical appliances.

Moving Day

2009-01-28T18:37:00.002-08:00

Hi ...remember me?

I am in the throws of the moving experience. The last 4 days have been spent doing a major cleaning at my new place and painting the bedroom. My landlord bought me a new fridge and is upgrading the lighting in the garage from a lonely single light to 3 florescent fixtures - 1 - 8'and 2 - 4' so I can paint the furniture for my store at home. I am very excited to get out of the frat house. Not that anyone even reads this here blog except for Kate - hi Kate! - but I won't be around for a few days until I move on Saturday.

Be good!

Movin' On Up

2009-01-24T09:43:00.007-08:00

Frat party that spilled into the hall in my expensive condo

I took this photo using my freshly dropped D60 using the regular lens. I wish I had had the zoom lens because if you could see, up close, the look on this guys face ...it was almost worth the grief they gave me that night with their loud, obnoxious partying at 1:30am. He was actually trying to be pleasant ...as pleasant as a drunk guy could be.

I am no longer homeless. It was a struggle to find just what I wanted right at the end of the month but I was successful. I truly believe, and it has proven itself over and over and over again, in the power of thought ...whether it be positive or negative. I was determined to get out of my lease. I could not see myself living here anymore. It would have and will get worse as the better weather approaches. I love my apartment and if I could have cut out the section that I occupy and plunk it down somewhere else I would have been tickled. But the truth of it is ...is that almost every condo project in this city has basically the same problem. A vast majority of the tenants are students and with summer coming there will be an influx of more 20 somethings moving to town. I knew what I needed was a house.

I was successful at getting out of my lease but that gave me one week to find a home. For the last 2-3 days I have been on a mission. I have seen houses, with garages, in good neighborhoods but at the end of the day ...they were too much house. Even if I took in a roommate. Some were just too far, too large, too expensive ...and not one could I picture myself living in. I was to meet one last Realtor for the day yesterday and it was another house in Westbank which is only 20 minutes from Kelowna. When he called to push up our appointment I told him that I decided not to waste his time because I just didn't want to live that far out of town he urged me to keep our appointment. The new bridge that crosses the lake has totally eliminated rushour traffic. It really is just 18 minutes door to door. Kelly pushed me to keep the appointment also so I went. Just as I expected it was not a good fit for me. I chatted up the Realtor managing the property expressing my wish list of a small house for one but with a big garage ...a totally unrealistic list really. His face took on a pondering expression and he said ...I have a friend.

Two hours later I was looking at this quaint carriage house. The true version of a carriage house is a "garage" where the carriage and driver resided back in the day. Living quarters were above the large garage that held the carriage. Kelowna has a grandfather clause that allows people living in the downtown core to build these "carriage houses" in behind their house and have legal living quarters above. I fell in love. It is small and cozy and with my touch it will be my sanctuary. And the best part ...I have the garage I wanted so I can paint furniture at home and not be at my store 15 hours a day. Oh ...and ...I can walk to my store. It is less than a 3 minute walk. I can see the stores rear parking from my front door ...which is in the alley. I sign the lease today at noon and I have permission to paint - the last yahoos that rented were not respectful of the place and it needs a freshening up and a good cleaning ...my kind of cleaning.

Another perk? Yeah ...I am saving $600 a month.

It goes to show you that opportunity comes in different disguises. There is always a reason for everything and it is mostly a manifistation of our thoughts, desires and yes, fears. We can't control how they are delivered but we are in control of what we do with them.

Ask. Receive. Panic.

2009-01-23T07:24:00.002-08:00

So you have only heard me bitch about my expensive frat house apartment once ...but I am pretty much always complaining about it. I had already contacted the property management office that acts on behalf of the owner of my condo. Armed with my arsenal of complaints they agreed to look for a new tenant to release me from the lease. There is such a flood of apartments/condos in this city people pretty much have their pick so I wasn't hopeful someone would rent this one in a timely manner. Yesterday I got a call from the property manager telling me she had someone very interested but the condition was that she needed February 1 occupancy. I didn't want to push my luck so I agreed. Then I panicked. I have 8 days to locate a new place (must be a house with an attached garage so I can paint at home instead of having to spend endless hours at the store) and move. So yeah ...the heat is on. Wish me luck ...or send condolences because this could very well kill me.

A Little Before & After

2009-01-21T22:24:00.007-08:00

I had already removed the hardware and filled the holes I no longer needed.

All done and ready to go out into the big bright world.

I haven't used my D60 to take pictures in the store since I dropped it and subsequently broke my 55-200 lens. These were taken using my Fuji Finepix circa 2003. I remember paying over $400 for it back then. You can get a better Finepix now for half the price.

It has been a busy week. Sales are down which isn't unexpected but I have been busy in the paint room and acquiring new pieces. The hunt for quality paintable antiques (I don't generally paint anything older than the 20's or 30's) is very time consuming. It is also sometimes awkward. If I am not finding good stuff at the small auctions we have up here or unable to get to Vancouver for a larger auction, then I am buying privately. People can sometimes be unrealistic about the amount they want for the item they are selling. I generally will find something online for sale from our local homepage website. I will communicate via email expressing my desire to, in the event of an unsuccessful sale, offer a much lower amount. I leave the ball in their court and wait until they contact me. I don't like to barter ...but it is essential at finding quality, affordable pieces that I can convert to the finished product. I have been hired to paint of couple of pieces that somebody already owns ...so that has been keeping me busy also.

When the store is quiet it is a good time to do a big clean, rearrange and merchandise new product. I am expecting a new bath and body line from London and my first spring home decor order so I will be busy unpacking.

If I wasn't so tired I would write about the inauguration and at the risk of sounding like a collective broken record, I was moved. Inspired. Hopeful. Obama is a global President. And although he doesn't run this country he certainly makes me feel more excited for the future than the ones that do.

Harley Betty

2009-01-19T19:05:00.006-08:00

I have been busy painting. I am at the store all day and into the night. So I am just popping in to say hello and keep my posting momentum. I leave you with a couple of pictures taken the summer before last. A bike pulled up in front of my store. I didn't see it but I heard it. I went to check it out and I first saw "Betty" ...and then I saw him. Can't decide which I think was the cuter of the two.

Betty road on this bike from Calgary, AB to Kelowna, BC. She was pretty cute but....

I think Betty's daddy got my vote that day.

Sweet Talker

2009-01-16T22:29:00.002-08:00

Remember Tom?

My 95 year old new boyfriend.

Yup ...Tom and I are hookin' up.

I saw him walk - with his walker - by my store yesterday morning. Then about 40 minutes later I caught from the corner of my eye, his attempt to negotiate the walker and open my door at the same time. I went over to give him a hand and a hug. He was generous with his compliments of what a lovely and kind lady I was. He had gone and bought us a tin of Turtles to say thank you for helping him out. Then it happened. I can't say for sure if it was just his 95 year old eyes and arms flailing .. trying for a hug or he was using his 95 year old eyes and hands as a ruse and was quite aware of what he was doing but boyfriend copped himself a feel. In a motion that would suggest he was patting me on the back he was really patting me on the side of my boobs.

Then there was the kiss that left some of his goo from the corner of his mouth tattooed on my cheek.

But my favorite moment is when he grabbed my waist and declared I 'was an armful of charm'.

Seriously. Really?

2009-01-15T18:01:00.007-08:00

Yes that is garbage. Outside 2 of my neighbors doors. Is this a new trend in apartment living? Too lazy to take to the garbage room but too stinky to leave inside their own door so lets just put it out here for my neighbors to enjoy. Do they realize that they, in fact, do live in an apartment building. A condo actually. Which is just a fancy word for a privately owned apartment. Most condo's have tenants, few are occupied by their owners. See, during the last many years this city has seen a rapid growth ...almost too fast but we were enjoying a great economy. It has a large retirement population as well as a substantial student population. There is an extension of the University of BC and a college. Then there is the tourism population. This is a tourist town above all else.

Real estate prices were/are still ridiculous here. Lots of investors bought into one or more the of hundreds of condo projects that were popping up all over the city. High end projects. Nice finishes ...granite, stainless steel, hardwood ...blah blah blah. But who did they think they were going to rent to? Sure there are many 20, 30, 40somethings in town that could possibly afford the rent that comes with such a nice, new, fresh and fancy condo. Since we do have a good sized student population ...these are the people who are renting these apartments. 3 or 4 are sharing a space meant for 2. Fresh from the warm embrace of their momma's bosom and free laundry service.

I am living in a $1400.00 a month frat house room. I am certain these kids are living away from home for the first time and exploiting the freedoms that come with that like a mofo. There are 6 - 4 floor buildings in this project. In the center of all this living is a nice sized seasonal pool and a volley ball court. Nice little grassy knolls and bbq pits. Can you say ...bikinis, muscles and hormones. Makes a gal in her 40's want to curl up in a ball and hide.

I need to move. I need a house ...with a garage - preferably attached. I need to not have to use an elevator/stairs to get to my truck.

I need to not have to see, scratched into the garage elevator doors, that "Amanda likes anal".

95

2009-01-13T08:20:00.003-08:00

If I live to be 95 that means that I have yet to live half of my life. I wondered, today, what the second half of my existence holds for me. At 95 will I be living on my own ...walking with the aid of a walker, living off a meager pension or the riches of some good investments. Will I be the life of the retirement home organizing Polka Fun Nights or will I have lost so many of my marbles that I will be the pathetic and lonely old lady sitting in my wheelchair playing with the peas on my dinner plate and talking to someone who isn't there.

Today, while in the store, we heard some ruckus outside. I got up from behind the counter and went to have a look. An old man had fallen ...losing his balance when his walker got caught on the uneven sidewalk in front of the store next to me which happened to be closed at the time. He had used his left hand to steady his balance but went down anyway. He cut his hand pretty badly right under is baby finger down into the palm of his hand. Two gentlemen helped him up and we were able to get him into my store and comfortable while Kelly fetched some cold compresses for the bleeding and called 911. I wasn't sure if he had hurt himself any place else and I didn't think I could get him into my truck to take him to the hospital.

Tom is 95 years old. He was dressed in his jeans but was wearing a shirt and tie with a nice scarf around his neck. And he was a cheeky fellow. He had lost his wife 25 years earlier and had a niece and a nephew who lived in our town.

The paramedics came and fixed him up enough to get him to the hospital. Before they left I was able to get enough information to decipher where his niece worked. I gave her a call to let her know what was happening. She called me when she arrived at the hospital where she found him already stitched up and ready to go home. I offered to drive his walker over to where he lived and they met me out front. Tom clearly has all his marbles. And his wit. And a loving family. Just a little wobbly in the knees.

I hope he lives out the rest of his life just the way he is.

DeeeeLish

2009-01-11T09:50:00.004-08:00

Back in November - a month after I reopened my store - we had an open house ladies night. I emailed all my past customers and the new ones that had left their email address on entry forms we were using for a grand prize draw and invited them all to come down and enjoy refreshments and great discounts. As word got around to the other little boutiques and stores in the immediate area that I was hosting this little event, others joined in and had their customer appreciation nights/open houses also. There were a few of us in the same block so it was great for the invited guests to stroll from store to store.

It was a crazy night ...so many people. I had a couple of friends working the room ...I couldn't get away from behind the till. We served these fabulous mini cupcakes freshly made by the best cupcakery in town along with coffee and Baileys. It was a really enjoyable night.

Really Real Reality

2009-01-09T21:05:00.005-08:00

Luna Tuna Head

The reality is that I have been busy painting furniture and getting December's receipts, sales and bookkeeping done. I had a busy sales week which was a little unexpected but very welcomed. I have also been ordering product and looking for new lines to carry. All the spring trade shows are happening all through January and into February. I wanted to go the Toronto show this year but ...well ... (come closer) ...I am afraid to fly (we're going down, we're going down). I haven't always been afraid to fly. I have enjoyed flying to a few tropical destinations in my life but the older I get the more fear I experience. Or is it anxiety? Does fear bring on anxiety or does anxiety bring on fear?

I used to live in the suburbs of Vancouver and as a result getting anywhere usually involved a bridge. Or two. High bridges. Long bridges. I remember the first time I felt fear/anxiety driving over a bridge. It was in the middle of the night and I was approaching the Port Mann Bridge heading eastbound. The bridge was under construction and from a distance I could see the flashing lights and the barrels, delineaters and cones that redirect traffic. There was really no one else on the road at the time - wasn't like it was full-on rush hour - but my heart started to speed up the closer I got and as the lane narrowed. By the time I was on that bridge it was all I could do to keep going. I wanted to drive off the bridge instead of over it. My breathing got heavy and I felt dizzy. As the end of the bridge became visible I started to calm down and by the time I was off ...I felt fine. I am afraid that is how I will react to flying because the thought of flying and the thought of driving over a bridge gives me the same queazy feeling.

I think it is the height of the bridge and being in the air that is what triggers my fear and/or anxiety. I like my feet planted on the ground. I hope I can get over this fear because there are so many places I want to go. Costa Rica, Australia, France ...Italy. Falling to ones death allows time to be scared. That is really what my fear is. Being scared just before death.

On a lighter note ...I had a great hair day!

Before and After

2009-01-06T14:44:00.003-08:00

I had great intentions to come into the store on Sunday and take some semi-before pictures of a few pieces of furniture that I had already prepped and applied a coat of primer. I recently purchased a Nikon D60 and I have been eager to learn how to use it. I have been playing with it at home - taking pictures of the cats using the 55 - 200 zoom lens, one of the two lenses it came with. I got to the store, opened my camera bag, unloaded my gear and promptly began to change the zoom lens to the normal one. I picked up the camera and the strap caught the corner of the table ...effectively making the camera slip from my hand and crash to floor. I have used this camera what ...maybe 4 times? I cried. Afraid to pick it up. The zoom lens had broken away from the camera body and I could clearly see 2 thin pieces of black casing lying on the floor next to the camera. I tried to reattach the lens to the camera and it wouldn't stay on. Those 2 small, thin pieces of plastic broke from the locking mechanism rendering the lens useless. I cried some more. Yelled a few expletives involving the letter F. Was the camera okay? I cried again ...please let the camera be okay. I attached the other lens and through a bleary tear soaked eye snapped a picture or two.

The camera body is okay, nary a scratch. The zoom lens will cost about $200 to replace and the cost of repair if even an option would cost that or better. Apparently there is no warranty for stupidity ...and if there is ...I didn't buy it.

So I did get a few pictures and of course left the camera at home with the pictures now living on my laptop at home. I think I just cried again.

So since I am here at work and I have a bunch of pictures on this computer I will share a few.

Earrings by Designer Kelly Sweet

Necklace by Designer Kelly Sweet

Art Panel by Papya "Rose" Love Who You Are

A lucky woman got this dressing mirror for Christmas

2009-01-04T09:36:00.005-08:00

This is a picture is of my friend Kathy and it was taken by her husband Will. We did a photo shoot at my store in early December to capture some interesting shots of not only my store but of the jewelry that I sell. The jewelry is designed and created by my friend Kelly who works with me at my store on Mondays and Tuesdays. She gets a little space in the store to sell her jewelry and I don't take a commission and she works 2 days a week and I don't pay her. We have had this arrangement for a few years and it works so well. It allows me 3 days to paint furniture, run business errands and on the rare occasion - take a day off.

Today is a painting day. I have a lot of stuff in the paint room that I am working on. For a long time I haven't taken before and after pictures but I am going to start again since I have this new fancy camera and it was purchased with the intention of taking better pictures that are suitable for print as well as the internet. I have already started the projects in the paint room with just the first coat of primer but I am going to try and get some shots anyway.

Hope you are enjoying your day or have some great Sunday plans.

Dinner!

2009-01-02T19:05:00.003-08:00

I wasn't expecting a busy day today at the store. I could tell just by the parking lot next to the building my store is in that many of the office people downtown were still on holidays. I even allowed myself to open 30 minutes later than usual (something I am loathe to do any other day) but as soon as I flipped my sign I had a customer and they kept on coming for the better part of the day. So that made me happy. I even got some painting done in the paint room. I am down to only one piece of furniture on deck to take the place if one on the floor should sell. I like to have at least 2 or 3.

I left for home late and on my way home made a mental inventory of what's inside my fridge. Tonight it is baby green salad - I make my own dressing fresh - and some pan fried shrimp.

If you like the look of the salad here is how I make it.

Good handful of baby greens out of the big pre-washed pack.
3 mini cucumbers sliced. One of them is actually for snacking while I am cooking.
4 Campara tomatoes quartered. Again one of them is for snacking.
A fresh grind of sea salt and coarse pepper - lots and lots of pepper.
Just before serving I squeeze 2 quarter slices of lime over the greens and a good drizzle of olive oil.
Grate some fresh Parmesan cheese.
Toss and serve.

I always use my wood salad bowl for preparation.

What are you having for dinner?

My Sweet Peas

2009-01-01T15:58:00.004-08:00

Princess Sophie
Shelter Rescued in Spring 1997
Almost 12

Luna
Shelter Rescued by my Mom in 2006
Adopted by me in September 2007
Almost 3

These are my Sweet Peas.

Sophie has been with me for almost 12 years and if she could talk ...man we would have some reflective conversations together. And she could also maybe explain the big stick up her butt. She can whip up a look of utter dissatisfaction for simply breathing too loud in her presence. She is my girl and I love her to bits ...but most times from a distance lest I draw back a bloody stump.

Luna on the other hand is my cuddle monkey. She was rescued from a shelter where my mom volunteered. She was one of many feral strays that came in that day and she was tiny and scared. Although my mom wished she could take in every single animal that needed a home in this entire world she also had to consider the 2 senior cats she already had. That plus she was also getting older and didn't want an animal that would surely outlive her. But this little one spoke to her heart and before she knew it she was rocking this scared, very tiny little pure white kitten in her arms whispering, "don't you worry little one ...you have a new mommy now". That is how Luna came into my moms life. She cared for her for almost 2 years before she died. I fell in love with her when I had to leave my life here and move to Vancouver to deal with my Moms estate and some legal issues that had come up. She is the living bridge to my mom and I know she is very happy I took her with me for my own.

Out With The Old ...In With The New

2008-12-31T16:35:00.007-08:00

Inside the store

It has been a long time since I have had anything to say. Well that isn't true ...just ask anyone within earshot of me. It has been a rough 15 months ...starting with the unexpected death of my mom and all the crap that followed. I thought by starting this here journal soon after her death, I might find some comfort in sharing, if only with myself, the experience but it became clear that living the moments were bad enough ...regaling them here would have surely sent me to an early grave.

But we are at the eve of a new year and life is moving forward. I am back from Vancouver after satisfying my executor duties. My store is back open and doing fabulous. I am enjoying my friends, my life and what is left of the family worth having a relationship with. I am going to give this journal thing another chance because now ...I have something to say worth writing about here. To me anyway.