So that happened

For the first time in my life, I went under the knife.

Not the fun under the knife where you stand in front of a target wearing a sparkly bathing suit and a swarthy man dramatically throws knives at you while the crowd gasps in relief when you don't end up impaled.

Nope.

It was the bad kind. The kind where I reluctantly went to the emergency room hoping for a quick fix and instead ended up having a man stick a sword in me. OK, the man was a surgeon and - to use some of my newly minted medical jargon - the sword was technically a scalpel. But, I was completely unprepared for the ordeal. And it was not one little bit fun.

I won't bore you with all the myriad details, even though I have total recall of each. What I will say is that my cavalier attitude toward surgery has done a complete 180. I used to think "How bad can it be? They knock you out for the cutting part and then they give you lovely mind-altering drugs. Sign me up." Such blissful ignorance.

What I learned is that hospitals are depressing. And boring. And frustrating. And designed to keep you awake. In fact, I think perhaps we are overlooking a veritable gold mine when it comes to modifying criminal behavior. Send those ne'er-do-wells to the closest infirmary.

Let me whine a bit more.... As far as the mind altering drugs go - big, fat lie. I don't know why people pay for morphine. I was expecting to spend some time in the strawberry fields with the Beatles. I stayed right where I was (see above) with nobody but the night nurse for company. And she only wanted to make sure I wasn't sleeping. Very disappointing.

Shall I go on? Did you know that when they do laparoscopic surgery they inflate your abdomen (with a bellows, I believe) until it is roughly the size of New Zealand and then seal up all the escape routes so you can double as the Hindenburg for the next few days? It's very pretty.

Anyway. I got better. And my doctor and nurses were lovely. I think mostly because they knew they could go home as soon as their shifts ended. And, all in all, I came to appreciate how ridiculously healthy I usually am. I am determined not to take feeling good for granted. Also, as I was walking around the gray, cheerless hallways in the middle of the night, I realized that there are so many people who are really, really sick and who will probably not get better. So I am truly thankful for how blessed I am.

One more thing. I learned that while my family is comprised of very caring individuals, my unlicensed and, in one case, underaged children are not above using my car to joyride around while I lay prone in a hospital bed completely unaware. The girls tried to rationalize their complete disregard for the law by saying that they only wanted to visit me and bolster my spirit. Complete hogwash. The last time I checked, the mall was not on the way to the hospital. Considering the fact that we live about four blocks from the hospital, nothing is on the way.

We all survived.

Who Thinks of This Stuff...

Who is the hands down genius head that thought up Pandora Radio?

I like music in a sort of second hand way. If it happens to be playing somewhere nearby, I'll tap my foot and bob my head with the best of them (with a few, okay, with several exceptions that I will not go into here because I don't want to bash any musical genres in print...but you know who you are). However, I don't usually seek out music and I'll tell you why.

Firstly, music on the radio is repetitive. Really repetitive. Really, really repetitive. Really, really, really repetitive. Same music. Over and over and over.

Secondly, someone else is doing the picking for me. I don't like handing over that kind of control. I (not unlike most people) want what I want, when I want it, thank you very much.

And thirdly, like any mother I've ever met, I mostly just want it to be quiet.

So, you can imagine the happy dance that ensued when a savvy friend turned me on to Pandora. That's www.pandora.com for those of you who are still wandering aimlessly in the dark morass that is FM radio.

I can't explain adequately. You have to experience it for yourself. And yes, I realize that I am probably light years behind the rest of the world, but I don't care. Let me be happy with my Adele/Weepies based station now that I have it. And look out iTunes...I'm coming in for a landing!

These are the days my friends...

Let me begin by saying that it has been so long since I last posted here (how long has it been....), well, its been so long that I forgot my access information to log on.

Now, generally I am the type of person that has no problem recalling these dandelion fluff-seeds of trivia. I have a ridiculous amount of user identities and passwords and binary codes to crack before I can access my top secret quote-of-the-day or terrorist-proof easy recipe sites and they come zooming to the forefront of my brain with the greatest of ease. Usually. Apparently that is all in the past.

Anyway, that is not what I wanted to talk about. However, now it is the only thing that I can think about. Does this mean I'm on the downward slippery slope of forgetfulness? What next? Do I start forgetting the name of my dentist, or that I have a dentist or maybe I just forget to brush my teeth. Dentist, schmentist.

Maybe I have a heretofore unheard of brain condition that only affects my ability to recall passcodes, but if left untreated will mutate into an unsightly skin condition. I smell doom. And Neutrogena.

Maybe I just need to write this stuff down somewhere.

Rocked in Saint Louie

On Thursday night some of my favorite peeps and I went to the Jimmy Buffett concert at Riverport (or whatever its name is this month). The lucky ducks who got there early were endlessly entertained by the thousands of parrotheads who turned out for the show - or became the show if truth be told. My neck is still a little sore from whipping around to goggle at fin-headed, grass skirt bedecked grandmas sipping margaritas larger than most wading pools.

Now, I have to confess up front that Jim isn't on my top ten list, but I do love an excuse to drink a margarita on a school night and its always fun to get together with friends. Especially friends who are true Buffett fans and are just waiting for an opportunity to stow away on whatever tie-dyed mode of transportation he has chosen for the evening.

So it was with an air of merriment and anticipation that we made our way to the entrance gate...where we were met by grim faced, professional buzz kills who searched through our blankets and backpacks and took our water bottles, our peanuts, and our happy faces.

OK. I understand that we no longer live in a country where you can bring a picnic lunch to a professional sporting event or paid venue of any type for the most part. And I guess I understand the reasons behind that sad fact. However, when you tell me that my water bottle isn't welcome I have to stop and ask WHY?! So I did. And I was told that even though water bottles are usually acceptable, Mr. Jimmy himself decided that no nourishment or hydration of any kind could be brought in while he was in the house. Hmmmmm.

I haven't checked this information. I'm simply going by what the steely eyed Frau at the gate said. Apparently, getting a piece of the action from the cheeseburgers in paradise is no longer enough. Mr. Buffett would like a portion from all the cheeseburgers (and everything else) in every geographical location he frequents. Again I say, hmmmmm.

I tend to oversimplify things. But here's what I think.

I pay (a lot) to see a game, or a concert, or a play. If you would like to offer me some refreshment while I'm there, I'll take it into consideration. If its good and reasonably priced, it is very likely that I will purchase your wares. I like options. I may decide you're a better cook than I am. And you save me the hassle of schlepping my ham sandwich across county lines. However, if you hold me hostage without food or water and in hypoglycemic desperation I am forced to purchase an overpriced, underflavored item, I will have no choice but to put a hex on you.

Can someone please back me up - does $4 for a water seem a tad steep to you? How about $9.50 for a draft beer? How about when you've purchased said beer, wandered aimlessly for 20 minutes looking for the rest of your party amidst 20,000 Hawaiian shirted revelers, finally reached your 3'x5' blanketed piece of lawn where you are promptly beaned by one of many flying beach balls which causes you to spill all that liquid gold on your flip flops.

Hmmmmmm.

He's a Magic Man...

You know how when women get together to drink coffee, or iced tea, or vodka gimlets they tend to talk a little? And how almost inevitably the talk tends to meander its way around to the subject of husbands/significant others and their laundry list of shortcomings (among which is the lack of laundry skills...)?

Well, I just want to state for the record that my husband is not only very adept at tackling stubborn stains on whites, he is also very willing - dare I say glad - to do it. And thats not all. Not by a long shot. I have come to the conclusion that I have married someone who is magic. In our 18 years of marriage I have never once had to call a handyman for any reason whatsoever. He can fix anything.

In the space of one weekend I have personally witnessed this skilled Adonis install a wood floor, change the oil on the Mini, hook up a garbage disposal, make a fish casserole, and sew on a loose button - with time left over to take the kids to the library.

This is all just to say that I am very thankful that I am such a lucky duck. Is he perfect? Well, that depends on the day you ask. But I will tell you, should we ever be together sipping a perfectly made martini and the subject of husbandly shortcomings comes up, I'm afraid I won't be joining in the conversation. And if it crosses your mind to ask him what exactly it is that he needs me for, I will find you where you live and boil your Steiff teddybear in the biggest pot you've got...

So that was fun

When uber-talented Annie Smith Piffel agreed to instruct a workshop here at Rock Paper Scissors, I immediately signed myself up. I have always harbored a bit of jealousy for people who can paint.

Not the house painting people mind you. I can think of no fewer than 8 million things I would rather do than tape off baseboard with that hideously colored painter's tape (too smurf-y to my way of thinking) and start dripping paint on the improperly covered hardwood floors.

No - I'm talking about the paint on canvas people. I would love to be able to do that. And so, I signed myself up and made arrangements to have the retail portion of the shop duly covered.

Things went slightly askew with my carefully made plans. Let's just say that I planned to attend the workshop. Then I couldn't take the workshop. Then I could. Then I couldn't. I finally settled for being bodily in the workshop about 2/3 of the time, running up and down the stairs 1/6 of the time, on the phone 1/8 of the time, and mentally checked-out for about 3/4 of the time. However, during the parts where I was both mentally and bodily available it was nothing short of fabulous. Annie is just that good!

I told myself that no matter how my painting turned out, I was by golly going to frame it and hang it. And so I did. And I have to say - everybody who took the workshop created a truly frame-worthy piece of art. Annie was informative, and encouraging. And I heard several comments about how relaxing it all was. Hmmm.

Musings

Let Your Perfectionist Tendencies Be Your Guide...or NOT

I had such big plans for the new year. Hopes, dreams, lists galore. Someone double-check the calendar, please, and tell me that April is not peering at me from around the corner with an I-told-you-so smirk on its fat face.

I think I've figured out the problem. I need conditions to be completely perfect before I can make a move. NASA has less rigid guidelines. And if even one component falls slightly short of the mark I throw up my hands in disgust and proclaim a no-go. Well, sister, that crazy-pants behavior stops right here and now.

My idea about this journal page was that it needed to be store related. And perky. And interesting. And timely. Now, I'm not saying that it will never be that combination of things, but even though I admire those things, I like to think I encompass a broader range of interests. Here's another way to go - completely unrelated to anything. And morose. And boring. And sporadic. I say let's mix it up a bit.

Today, I'm going to post some links to items I've come across in various blogs that I follow. I find fascinating little gems every time I succumb to the siren song of the PC, and I always think that when I have more time I'll go back and really explore these things in depth. The problem is that my mental post-it notes have lost their stickiness. I know there's something I was supposed to look up, but darned if I can remember what it was. If I post some of those things here, I will have a fighting chance.

Here goes:

Here is a yummy recipe for potatoes - the worlds most perfect food.
Here is a great website for fonts. I've been on several font sites (I love text...) and this one is set up nicely and has the added benefit of being a manageable size. Very important in a font-related site.
If you need some inspiring color therapy (read eye candy), this is the spot for you. However, it should come with a warning. Days go by, dehydration sets in, children begin foraging for nuts and berries as you sit glued to the goodness on your monitor. Beware.

Alright. That is enough for now. Baby steps.

Happy New Year!!
We will be closing on January 1st and will re-open on January 12. I hope everyone has an optimistic and peaceful beginning to the new year. We can't wait to see you again!

Three is a magic number...

Let me start by apologizing for the wordiness that will follow. Sorry.

I have three announcements and no photos.

First - Rock Paper Scissors is celebrating its 4th year in the biz (pause for cheering), and as such we would like to have a sale. Partly as a thank you to all of you fabulous people for being such steadfast patrons. And partly to clear out some of the current delightful products to make room for the new, even more delightful products (you know we have space issues...). So - Friday, October 9th and Saturday, October 10th will be sale days here at the shop. As it is our 4th year, you will be the recipient of one fourth off of your purchases on these days (that's 25% off for those of you who, like me, have discovered that they indeed are not smarter than a fifth grader).

Second - some of you may have noticed the "For Sale" sign on the porch at 833 South Main Street. I have had breathless (thank you stairs), panicked people insisting that I absolutely cannot close - life would lose all meaning if Cavallini paper were not available when the yen hits. Never fear, only the building is for sale. I will reference the aforementioned space issues and stairs as factors in the decision to look for greener pastures. We have our eye on a different building further down on Main Street. I don't want to jinx anything by blurting out the actual address (I don't know about the Midwest, but in New England when you run around blurting things out pell mell, jinxes ensue like nobody's business...) We'll keep you posted.

Third - as you all know there are never enough hours in the day, especially the days leading up to a jam packed holiday season. And so, I have made the somewhat selfish decision to change the business hours here at the shop. Beginning now, the hours will be as follows: Tuesday - Saturday 11:00-6:00. You may have noticed that Monday is conspicuously absent. Well, let's not say absent so much as rife with opportunity...for me...to get stuff done...that would be the selfish portion of the program. BUT - I will be open until 6:00pm now, so if you need to swing by after work, we'll be leaving the light on.

We're Doing Pennants

Rockin' the flag at Rock Paper Scissors - laminated paper flags waving softly in the balmy breezes. Stop by and check them out!





















Inquire within to have your own custom flag banner made!

Clay Considerations

I recently had a meeting of the minds with clay afficianado Mary Quallo. The idea of a polymer clay guild has been bandied about periodically since I opened Rock Paper Scissors, but to date that is as far as its gone. Thank goodness there are take-charge gals like Mary in the world who do more than just envision the good times we'll all have in some hazy but glorious future after somebody got off their patoot long enough to actually implement a plan. Mary is on the job and I can say with complete confidence that there will be happy clay guilders doing marvelous things before you can say "I wonder what Sarah Shriver's schedule looks like." In the meantime, feast your eyes on this incredible necklace fashioned by Kathleen Dustin. I wonder if she's adopting.

Scrap St. Louis Ladies

Look at all the lovely ladies that visited me last Friday after a fun-filled day of creating at Scrap St. Louis! No, they are not baton-twirling majorettes (actually, they may be....that never came up in conversation....one never knows does one?) they are holding tissue wrapped rolls of papery goodness. I do so love women who have an appreciation for beautiful paper. Thanks so much to Margie Romney-Aslett (lovely and talented) for capturing this Kodak moment. And also to my friend Kathy Northup (equally lovely and talented) for corralling the shoppers and sending them my way - no easy feat as you can well imagine. It was truly a pleasure!

Noteworthy Pictorial

A little candy for the eye of the beholder.

We have been quiet lately, but rest assured we are as busy as bees stocking up on goods, rearranging fixtures while spring cleaning, fine tuning workshops and thinking ever fondly of you!


...soooo keep calm & carry on!

BUY 2 GET 1 FREEEEEE!

Peruse our pleasing pile of rubberstamps at a pleasantly
reduced price!

Orange Art Apparently

Fresh fun in the form of Orange Art paper.
These are parent sheets used for their stationery
purposes,but we have gathered them here for you in half of all their glory,sized to use easily for covering a book,making a paper bowl,wrapping a special gift,framing or whatever YOU may choose to do with them!
We hope that you will stop by and pick some of these sheets up to add to your collections!

The Origami Club in The Journal!

Check out our article in the Suburban Journal!

This Just In...

Karen Lockhart's Newest Stamps!

Origami Monthly!

We are happy to announce a new club meeting here at Rock Paper Scissors for origami enthusiasts or just paper lovers in general! Please read on for more information.

Paint your Town

We have stocked the cubbies with fabulous
new acrylic paints from KaiserCraft and Ranger

MaryBeth Shaw will be delighting us with her
paste paper techniques using the Kaiser Colours in her
upcoming workshop at Rock Paper Scissors....there are
still a few spots open on Friday,January 30th....
MaryBeth will also be leading an artful workshop using
Claudine Hellmuth's paint line by Ranger on February 7th...
don't hesitate to reserve a spot for this one!

Rock Paper Scissors & PAINT!

What's Upstairs?

The SALE table,that's what!

And more...like papier mache boxes,hundreds of 12 x 12 papers,
letterpress trinkets,dozens of sizes and colors of envelopes,pockets and
cards and plenty of atmosphere to inspire! Well worth a trip up those stairs!