The Career Game

As my life is settling down a bit. I'm not playing Manic Monday any more. At least not until I have a manic day. I am back at "that" house so things may change at any moment.

I was looking at my DD's keyboard and the ten key at the side and remembering when I was a bookkeeper. That bought me to think of all the careers I've had. I'm going to try to remember them all and list them for you. Some, you will not believe.

My first real PAYING job was at age 16. I did evening billing for a local department store. It was long before computers, and we used adding machine to tally receipts and hand write the amounts on cards for the customer's permanent file. We also subtracted the amount of checks paid. I wasn't very good at it, and I quit before I screwed up too many bills. I've always been dyslexic, and was much worse as a teen.

Next career was more in my line. For several years as a teen, I did freelance crafting. Macrame accessories and clothing, hand painted leather jewelry, beaded jewelry. But for the most part, I didn't get money, only trade. But for me, that was awesome. I kept some of the trade clothes (my fave) for years.

I finally got another Real job when I was 19. It was temporary, but real money and something I could do. I managed a booth at a local mall, selling little glass blown figurines. I found I was actually good at handling money, and managing employees, even at 19.

The next job was selling memberships at a national auto club. It was pretty horrible. I had to make cold phone calls and even drive out to the clients houses wherever they were, even in the city, to close the deal. I discovered that I REALLY hated solicitation.

I moved right from phone sales to department store sales. Quite different. First I was a floater, moving from department to department, then jewelry took me. I liked that, and much different when the buyer comes to you. I had my eye on the art department and the pet department, and when I finally took an offer from  the pet department, I got an offer for art. Too bad I didn't take it. Might have changed my life. Pet department was mostly fun, I wore a snake around my neck at work, and occasionally brought home bags of frogs or snakes to transfer from one store to another. I became a supervisor at 20, and things were great until my married boss made advances. It was a whole different world back then. No protection for employees. I quit.

What would a young girl of 21 choose to do next? Why become a store detective of course. I started with a national detective agency as a store detective and eventually progressed to an undercover detective, working in factories to ferret out thieving employees. It was a lot of hours, writing reports every day, and the deceit was hard for me to handle. I couldn't tell anyone what I was doing, especially friends I made on the job. I finally quit. Not something I was cut out for, but interesting all the same.

I had met the man who I would marry while I was a detective and during our transition from dating to marriage, I got another job in sales at a clothing store. I also did a little repair sewing when they found out I was a seamstress, having taken tailoring in High School. But it was time to have kids and I stopped working for a few years.

Finally when my youngest was only 3 months, I decided enough was enough. If only there was online sales back then, how different my life would have been too. But I got a part time job as an evening bookkeeper at my husbands auto service garage. I worked there and other stations for quite a few years while also going back to school. School would end up taking 11 years to complete.

Bookkeeping turned to station management and eventually computer accountant for the entire Cleveland Area. But I was stubborn, when the company refused to give me the $.25 an hour raise they promised me, I quit. It cost them quite a bit too, because my replacement payed every employee holiday pay, and corporation payed them too. No employee told, my husband was one of them. Karma will get you every time.

While I was finishing school a friend offered me a job at her interior fiber design studio making drapery and slip covers. It was fun, but interfered too  much with my difficult program in industrial design. So I had to quit that job too.

While at school I took various jobs, like part time assistant in school departments, summer school art instructor, and computer tech. I loved computer lab tech, because I was so strict, no one came to use computers on my watch and I could do my own work on several at a time. They were pretty slow for graphics back then.

Graduation time and I had my hopes set on toy design. that was my focus at school, but actually I had more experience in home fashion and lighting design it was. That was supposed to be a temporary move, but lasted over 15 years. My focus was Tiffany style lighting and painted finishes. I decided to move around to get better positions and well, that was my downfall.

After my last full time job as designer, and art director, I got some work as a freelance paint finish designer, working for a US lighting company a few times a year in China. Money was good. I also sold supplies and children's clothing on eBay.

Then came the market crash and a little place called Etsy. Lighting wasn't selling, but handmade crafts were. I still sell online and do a little freelance lighting design. Not sure what the future holds, but I'll keep you updated. I'm thinking of writing an illustrated children's book.

Deer in the Yard

I was so excited when I saw a deer in the yard last Sunday. As a matter of fact, I yelled so loud that my visiting Grandson tore off my headset and almost broke them coming to see what I was yelling about.

Even though we were close to a National Park, I think there were just too many dogs near us on the little lake to make it desirable for them to visit.

OK, so I love that the deer visit, and my DD said, maybe I should put out a salt lick, but I know deer strip trees for food in the winter and I was afraid my landlord might not like that. So I'm not tempting them with food or salt into my yard.

Then I took a friend to look at my lovely row of Day Lilies at the side of the house. I noticed that some of the stems were trimmed back, all at the same height, you know, nibbling height for a young doe. All the flowers on the front had been nibbled off. I plan to bring some potted herbs and tomatoes. I think I need to make sure they are out of mouth's reach.

I still love my new house. And I love the deer. I just need to learn how to keep the deer from eating the flowers.

Moving Day - Tiny House

If I had a dream place to live, it would be in a tiny house. I don't need much space for myself. I like the idea of an energy efficient house with low ceilings to help save the environment and save me money.

If I had a dream town to live in it would be Chagrin Falls, Ohio. It is  quaint and quiet and there are wonderful activities all year round. There are even several craft and art shows, and local artists show in the town shops. I could go back to painting again.

Hard to believe, just a few months ago, I was struggling to survive and living with my daughter, because I couldn't even afford rent on my own. Well my bad Karma has finally been "debt paid" (I hope) because things miraculously got better when I turned 60.

My daughter's friend found this adorable little cottage, with rent less than the apartments I was looking at. The apartments sounded nice, but I love the yard and flowers and gardening. I will only do container gardening, but there is a huge patio that I can do it on. And the house, although not with much storage. is just perfect.

There are pretty gardens and patios all around the house.

The former owner fed birds too, so I'm sure they will come for me. I love watching the birds.

And where is this cottage you ask? That's right, within walking distance of downtown Chagrin Falls. A decent walk, and a pretty darn good walk to the Post Office, but unless I'm under the weather, I can make it.

Today is my last day with the family (until they're forced to take me when I'm really old) I'll miss them. Guess I'll have to get busy with my own life finally.

My New Obsession - Homemade Soda

Yes you read that right. Homemade soda

I love to make homemade anything, so when I saw this pin on pinterest how to make Homemade Ginger Ale, I had to try it. It was as easy as the post said it was. I added all the ingredients to a 2 liter bottle, and in two days (and it was pretty cool) the soda was fermented and bubbly. So bubbly in fact that I had to keep opening the bottle a teeny bit to let the air out and re-close until it settled a little.

I loved it, but I think there is a bit too much lemon, and I'm sure there is too much sugar. So I searched websites and found lots of great recipes. There was also too many ginger chunks that had to be strained after. I didn't like that.

Alton Brown's Recipe is similar, but eliminating the chunks by simmering the Ginger, straining and adding the Ginger flavored Syrup. Alton Brown Ginger Ale This recipe will go in my next bottle. I'll let you know how it goes. I also want to try lime instead of lemon. And you can use powdered ginger too.

I started thinking, that if it's that easy to make Ginger Ale, what other soda's can I make. I searched and this was the best resource I found. Thank you Mother Earth News. I think the real trick is, very clean utensils, the right amount of sugar and the right amount of yeast.

I've purchased Root Beer extract. It's on the way. And I must try Grape Soda too. I'm going to try other things, like teas and herbs. How about Lime and Mint. Mojito soda. Awesome! I've also ordered champagne yeast. See if that makes a difference.

There are a few other tips I read if you want to try this at home. Although you CAN ferment in bottles, it's recommended that you first try plastic bottles. Two liter soda or gallon milk/water bottles. The fermentation can cause the bottles to explode if it goes too far, so better broken plastic, than broken glass, and the plastic does give a bit. Another tip was to feel the bottle when you first add all the ingredients. It should give a little. The process is finished when the bottle is firm and does not give. Remember to put in the fridge immediately to stop the fermentation process.

I'm so very excited about this. Hey, if I'm ever snowbound and out of soda, I can whip up a batch in 2 days. Cool. The best thing about this, is that it's supposed to be healthier. That is except for the sugar. But the thought is that you can maybe use less sugar and maybe stevia, or honey, or even agave syrup. I'm wondering how molasses or honey would taste with the Ginger Ale? I'll be trying everything and posting my best recipes for you. Keep watching :)