However, we finagled a booth at Les Boutiques de Noel, a high end shopping extravaganza, this year held at the Bossier City Civic Center where people have to pay to get into shop, to sell live plant arrangements. I launched into that whole heartedly, and by the time we were ready to do it I had collected 36 containers/baskets and lots of decorative items to decorate them including ribbons and bows---probably $150 worth, all from estate and garage sales. Of course, others had collected as well; some people spent $10 each on their containers; I had a $3 limit on what I purchased. But my point is that everybody contributed a lot. We bought the plants as none of us would have had enough plants in bloom to do this.
On this past Tues. we began putting them together. Approximately four of us had experience in doing this and were good and fast; the remainder of us (that includes me) were novices. But we had a lot of fun putting them together and learning. My pictures are not very good as I really didn't have time to set them up. But here's a sample.
(Remember you click on the pictures to enlarge.)
Oh, yeah, this container was one I got for $1 at an estate sale; originally a holder for a votive candle. I didn't do the arrangement.
Sorry the red bow is behind this because it doesn't show as well.
This container is another I purchased for $1 and is actually a cup; isn't it a great arrangement? I didn't do that one either.
On that Tues. we put together 49 arrangements. We should have stopped there; however we had high hopes and met again the next day to put together more (?). The preview party was on Wed. night, and the actual sale was Thurs., Fri., and Sat. I worked 1 - 6 on Thurs., on Fri. I had to take the cash box to the person opening on Fri., then came back later with material to pack around sold items to stabilize the containers in boxes. Sat. was orchid judging day and the other volunteer who usually works with me for that agreed to do the sales, and I would handle judging responsibilities alone. We were worlds apart, but really in distance it was probably only about 2-3 miles.
Our table on the first day of the sale.
Don't know the outcome of our efforts yet, but I know we were getting only about half the sales we expected. Definite downer! But if anybody is really curious I will let you know. I will say that some of us acquired new skills, even the two men in our society who showed up to help. (We have more men, but only two ventured into this activity. They had a great time and learned how to "glam" up an arrangement.)
So, what's next? Operation on the left eye will be this Monday morning. I am to report at the surgery center at seven a.m. (ouch), but Jaz has graciously accepted the responsibility of getting me there and back once again. The doctor says she will do something a little different this time and, God willing, the sight improvement will be much more immediate without change. The first time it was great 24 hrs. post surgery then went downhill. Who knew about my loose epithelial? BTW the left eye bag is different from the right eye bag. I know you are tracking that information. Here's the left eye bag:
Don't ask me about the cheesy shades in this one; I'm taking my big boxy shades from the first go round. Keep your fingers crossed and say your prayers for me, please. The right eye is still improving, but I don't think it's as good as it will be yet. I just really want everything to be done before the Tea Partyers/ Republicans rip Medicare into oblivion.
So this week is done, and it's on to a new one. Surgery, big holiday, family coming, ---Wow! So much to look forward to! Best wishes to all of you!
4 comments:
Why did you go against doing this??
I think the cheesy glasses are because they expect folk to hold onto the nicer ones from the first surgery, but provide something for the dopes who do not. Why should they shoulder the expense (and pass it on to everyone) of the higher class glasses twice?
Tazz--she wasn't against this show. This was part of the fundraiser to prepare for the big upcoming national show. As to why? I'll leave that to her to answer.
Well, TAZ, we have 60-70 members in the society, but only about 10 of them actually do any of the work, and that is far too few to handle a national show. Also the cost to rent the space for the show, handle the mailings, provide all the host's responsibilities, publicize it, etc., etc., is just too much for 10 people. Just trying to raise the money is wearing a bunch of us out. So there may be even fewer people working before this show comes around in late April.
Ohhhhh
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