Valentines galore.

My cards seem to be a big hit this year!!! I just finished an order for 30 that this lucky kid is going to give to all their little friends tied to a cookie. How fun is that? What a cool mom. Now maybe I should make some for my kid to give away! I will make more time for things for US this year instead of just selling all these cool things I make.

A happy picture.

Just wanted to end a not so happy day with a happy picture. What can be better than an adorable little blonde girl with her new "pet" seal? Nothing I say.

Suicide.

SUCKS. We learned this morning that my sisters ex boyfriend ended his life. They broke up a couple of months ago and he tried to supress the pain by drinking and not dealing with his depression in a healthy way. If you know anyone who is suffering from a mental illness and alcholism PLEASE get them help! It kills me to hear my sister say she would rather have him beating the crap out of her every day (which he never did) than have to deal with this death. If you pray please say a little prayer for my sister Kelly and Scott's kids Cole Tyler and Andrew tonight.

Foodie Valentines.

I listed 3 of my foodie valentines in my persimmonsgal etsy shop today and between the two shops had record sales! I had 8 sales in about an hour. Whew. I don't mind though. :) Sales are good for paying bills.

Giddy Kim

I am having a blast getting back into the swing of things!!!! WEeeeeeeeEEE.

Coming soon.

Pendants as supplies for you to use in your jewelry! These are going to be listed in Cheap Old Crap shop today at wholesale prices! Gotta pay some bills baby! They will be $10 or less. I have about 20 to list so we will see how far I get.

A little about me.

My talented art friend Pam sent this survey to my art friend Jodi and now I am taking it from Jodi. Just a little way to learn a little more about me and my crazy world. I think it is fun and feel free to copy and paste it to your blog with all your answers. If you do make sure to post a link to your blog in the comments so I can learn a little more about you too!

1.What time did you get up this morning? 7:23
2.Diamonds or pearls? Definately pearls. I love my diamond ring but no more diamonds for me.
3.What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Honestly don't remember. I think it was The Ring.
4. What is your favorite TV show? I love American Idol!
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Today I had cheerios. My favorite breakfast is a Fiesta breakfast wrap from wrap it up ( a great local restaurant)
6. What is your middle name? Ellen
7. What food do you dislike? I can't think of anything I don't like.
8. What is your favorite CD at moment? I rather love Maroon 5.
9. What kind of car do you drive? An old Mercury Sable. Actually a chunk just came off the wheel well. I am not a car person as long as it gets me to where I need to go.
10. Favorite sandwich? I LOVE sandwiches. I really enjoy BLT's with a little avacado, tuna, rhuebens, turkey and swiss....the list goes on and on and on.
11. What characteristic do you despise? I am not fond of people who don't mind their own business.
12. Favorite item of clothing? Today it is my long gray sweater....brrrr it's cold.
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Greece. Actually the island from MommaMia.
14. Favorite brand of clothing? Don't care as long as it's cheap.
15. Where would you retire? We will likely retire back in Baraboo but in my dreams it would be a villa on a beach in Mexico.
16. What was your most recent memorable birthday? 34...I had a GREAT party and we did an awesome painting that hangs in my kitchen.
17. Favorite sport to watch? I guess it would be football but it is only because I have to pick one. Not a huge fan.
18. Furthest place you are sending this? All over the world!
19. Person you expect to send it back first? nobody.
20. When is your birthday? July 28
21. Are you a morning person or a night person? Definately morning! I am usually in bed by 10!
22. What is your shoe size? 10
23. Pets? Holly an English Setter ♥♥ and Flounder the Beta fish.
24. Any new and exciting news you ' d like to share with us? I am the new president of the downtown association. Not sure if that's exciting or not. I will let you know.
25.What did you want to be when you were little? What I am. An artist.
26.How are you today? Not sure yet but I do know I am cold.
27. What is your favorite candy? Not really a huge fan of candy. I know weird. We still have Halloween candy from 2007.
28. What is your favorite flower? peopnies, lilacs, lily of the valley, How can I pick? Tulips, daffodils.......
29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? February 22...Molly's Birthday party.
30.What's your full name? Kim Ellen Geiser
31. What are you listening to right now? Sesame Street Elmo to be exact.
32. What was the last thing you ate? Honey Nut Cheerios.
33. Do you wish on stars? I sure do.
34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? I feel like I would be yellow.
35. How is the weather right now? I think it is -15 with a -35 wind chill. It is cold in the house.
36. The first person you spoke to on the phone today? No one.
37. Favorite soft drink? Gave up soda last year. I do love sparkly lemon water though.
38. Favorite restaurant? Love local places like Wrap It Up and Courthouse Pub but do also like Olive Garden....mmmm their salad.
39.Real hair color? dirty blonde.
40. What was your favorite toy as a child? Crayons.
41.Summer or winter? Summer
42. Hugs or kisses? Both
43.Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla. Not a big Chocolate person??
44. Coffee or tea? Depends on the day. I am addicted to Chai.
45. Do you want your friends to email you back? For this no but if I email a friend I get paranoid if they don't email me back sometimes. The crazy in me.
46. When was the last time you cried? Last night durning American Idol.
47. What is under your bed? Owners manuals, Glenns camera, a few magazines and socks. 48.What did you do last night? Made supper, cleaned up a bit including the toilet, watched Idol, made a couple dozen cards, played with playdough and read about my pal Jodi in Cloth Paper Scissors.
49. What are you afraid of? Dying young, me or my family getting ill, murky water, leeches, slugs, heights, my car crashing into water. Yeah I have a few issues. There are more but I don't want to sound like a complete loon.
50. Salty or sweet? Salty for sure.
51. How many keys on your key ring? 5
52. How many years at your current job? 10 in business but I have been an artist all my life.
53. Favorite day of the week?Sunday but really I like all days.
54. How many towns have you lived in? 3
55. Do you make friends easily? I have a ton of great friends but only a handful of really close friends. I look at everyone as a potential friend!

A treasury...

I got a treasury.... http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=32887 When I figure out how to post a screen shot I will show you what it looks like?Q?Q?

Cheap Old Crap.

Things seem to suddenly be going pretty well in my Cheap Old Crap shop which is good because anyone who knows me knows I have plenty of cheap old crap. If there is anything you are looking for in the way of old ephemera or vintage wares let me know so I can provide it. Chances are I have it. Until then enjoy this cute little elephant who just found his way into my store....

Casey.

My mom just called to let me know that our friend Casey died yesterday. He lived most of his short life battling a rare brain tumor that kept coming back. I remember the time when his father, my friend Kevin found out the life changing news over 10 years ago. Casey was just 9 I believe at the time and wasn't given too long to live. Well he did. He is a fighter. About a year ago some of Kevin's closest friends and co workers put together a benefit in Casey's honor and were amazed at the outpouring of kindness and caring. They raised enough to put a dent in the mounting medical bills but more importantly Casey saw how many people loved him and cared about him.
A few months after the benefit we were at the bowling alley where he worked and he had a seizure and it seemed that his health starting really failing after that. Although he was ready to go I am not sure others were ready for him to go. This past few weeks Kevin has been by his side non stop and they were visited by many friends. Casey may you rest in peace and please keep Kevin and his family in your thoughts and prayers tonight.

Times like this also remind me to hug Molly a little tighter and let her know how very much I love her. Hug your kids today.

Listing like a mad woman today.

Part of my new plan is listing more regularly on etsy so today I started my listing frenzy. Check out both shops Persimmonsgal and Cheapoldcrap for good new stuff.

Friends.

In life I have noticed that friends come and go. Not for any other reason than it is time to move on. I have some great friends who even though I haven't talked to for months or even years and we can still talk for hours when we see each other. There is a real connection. Like my friend Julie from Baraboo. I haven't spoken to her for months...maybe a year but I know if I need someone to talk to I could call her and she would be there.

Then there are people you think you really get along with and all of a sudden there is nothing. No explanation or reason and it hurts but you move on and get over it and find a new person to fill the void. That has only happened a time or two but I have tried to convince myself that life is too short to worry about those things...but it still hurts when you think about times you spent with that friend.

I am so thankful for those people who get me. I am rich in life with friendships and this year I am going to work on those friendships. I am a hard person to befriend sometimes because I work 6 days a week and can't always drop things to be there for someone. I will try but feel like I sometimes I don't give as much as some of my friends give me. So with the hours cutting back I am hoping to strengthen the friendships that have endured and move on from those that do not.

One friendship I know will last my lifetime is with that hunk of a man in the silly picture. My best friend in the whole world...Glenn. He really puts up with all of me and I am forever grateful to him for that. It takes a special kind of guy to put up with an over emotional, procrastinating, messy, artist type (he's an engineer) and he is that guy. My best friend forever and ever...and ever.

So to all of my friends thank you and I hope to see much more of you this year. To my Internet pals (you know who you are) I too look forward to growing our friendship this year even if we can't go out for coffee ... well I am still hoping to win the lottery!!!

2009.

Happy New Year!

I am excited for changes this year. I have decided to spend more time working on my art career and playing with Molly. My store will only be open on Thursdays and Fridays 11-7 and some Saturdays. Some may think that seems like I am closing but most will understand it is because I have been having so much success in my other selling venues that I need to start focusing on other ways to get myself out there! Having to be at the store 6 days a week all year long is just not allowing me to grow as I know I can with a little more flexibility. Plus if I want to take Molly to the zoo on a Tuesday I can do that now. She will only be little once and I don't want to miss out and having fun with her anymore. Coming with me every Saturday at the store is stressful for both of us and we just yell at each other all day and I don't want that to be her only memory of spending time with me.

So watch for changes in Persimmons. I will be cutting way back on consignment to just include less than a dozen of the big sellers. The sellers I hope to keep although I haven't talked to all of them yet are....
Kate Gadd Glass
Emily Kircher Recycling Artist
The Glitterworkshop (Naomi Richardson)
Crazy Times Candles
Gracie Designs
5 Bees Soap
Jes Switaj
Annette Wimmer
Alex Murtaugh
Sarah Lamers
Sara Schuetze

I am also hoping to have a few more classes and open crafting. Like I envision a lot less finished stuff and a few couches so people can come and knit or crochet with friends and maybe a membership to come and craft using all of my tools. This may not happen right away as there are a lot of things to consider for that but I do know this is the start of an evolution. I am very excited for this change and all the things it will bring.

I really hope my local customers can understand and embrace this change and learn to adapt to the new hours. I hope to have special events for my shoppers at least every quarter so watch the blog for more information on those things. You can also email me to get on my email/snail mailing list at gkgeiser@yahoo.com.

Thanks to all of my readers and customers and I hope your 2009 is as full of possibility and excitement as mine is!!