Just Being Me

At dinner the other night, my husband told the group I had sung my way through Costco the day before. He said it wasn’t loud but it could be heard by others. I did not remember doing this.

At dinner the other night, my husband told the group I had sung my way through Costco the day before. He said it wasn’t loud but it could be heard by others. I did not remember doing this. I  do, however, remember thinking that I hope I was in tune and, if not, then enjoyable. I sing when I’m happy – but I do not whistle. Humming is in my repertoire but not used often.

Found on Pinterest today.

There is one way in which my husband and I are diametrically different. He could go through life not really making a ripple on the surface. The thought of a server in a restaurant singing to him on his birthday would not only mortify him, it would be grounds for our divorce after almost 30 years of bliss!

He does amazing things – behind the scenes. He gives generously of his time and resources – quietly. And he backs me up in every single thing I do and stick my nose into. We are raising a child together, and so far the experiment is going swimmingly.

I don’t believe I make scenes. I don’t think I talk louder than the situtation demands or the microphone can take. I am a good listener and reside in quiet very well. I do occasionally, however, sing in public and like surrounding myself with my own joy. I laugh easily and talk to strangers constantly – inside and outside my work life.

My wish is that, at Costco the other day and every day, my joy envelops my husband and brings happiness and not embarassment. If not, he might want to get another cart and walk a few steps behind.Sloane

 

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The Last Lunch Out

It’s the time of year when people ask, “Do you leave the store?” We do. We go home at night, and we come back the next day. However, leaving for lunch is hard after Thanksgiving.

It’s the time of year when people ask, “Do you leave the store?” We do. We go home at night, and we come back the next day. However, leaving for lunch is hard after Thanksgiving. Today I snuck away and had lunch with my sister, my Dad, my niece and my stepmom after they had been to see Santa. This may be the last day we can do this until January, and that’s OK. We love seeing our customers over their lunch breaks during the holidays. That’s when all the sneaky purchases take place.

 

 

Classic Cookie is one of our favorite places for chicken salad. And cookies. But mostly chicken salad. Well, Casey had a roast beef sandwich today, but I think it is because their horseradish sauce and bread are so amazing. Ask her. I really don’t know.

Leslia Stockard owns this great small business, and just this Sunday – yesterday –  she was in STUFF when we were making plans for today’s lunch. Casey asked what the soups were going to be on Monday. Leslie admitted that she didn’t know – but what sounded good? Casey said that she didn’t like beans and left it at that.

Casey & Leslie
Vickie, the wicked stepmom, and my niece.
My Dad and my sister, Casey.

The soups today were Mushroom Potato and Beef Barley. Not a bean in sight. You can’t tell me small business doesn’t listen to their customers.

Sloane

 

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Child Labor

They start by just sleeping in their car carriers. Under the desk. Behind the counter. In the office. They come to work and they do little.

They start by just sleeping in their car carriers. Under the desk. Behind the counter. In the office. They come to work and they do little.

Then, they play. They play with their own toys, they play with the office supplies, and maybe, just maybe, they play shop with us. They nap, they nosh.

Then, around five years old, they want something “real” to do. Labeling, stickering, sorting. Doesn’t matter, just as long as it’s what we’re doing. It’s for short periods of time so that the playing can continue.

 

At seven, they want a timesheet. It not about the money – there are child labor laws! – it’s about being like the other employees and doing “real work”. Not like the stuff they did at five. This time the labeling needs to be on product, the stickering needs to be on real file folders, and the sorting becomes filing into the file cabinets. Real numbers, Labor Law Compliance Center labor posters, the full alphabet, and goals.

This week my niece filled out a timesheet that brought tears to me eyes. They grow up too fast. But it was the little parts of this one that got me. Her nickname, my nickname, the day of the week, and the fact that she got it approved by her mother. Their childhood goes by so fast, and I can’t speak for my sister but having the children at work with you alleviates huge piles of mother guilt when you feel pulled in multiple directions. It’s not all bad and more than a little bit of fun. You laugh more, you walk up the street for ice cream and popcorn, and you remember – and feel deeply – what a family business really is.

The law be damned. They just want to be like their mothers.Sloane

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Thankful

With all our love, Happy Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving 2011.

Every time a stranger applauds us for bringing them a smile during the public radio fund drive, we are thankful.

Every time our Dad reaches another lymphoma milestone, we are thankful.

Every time a customer thanks us for donating to their school auction, we are thankful.

Every time an employee verbally appreciates payday, we are thankful.

Every time our Mom says another year of being cancer-free is behind her, we are thankful.

Sloane calling home from The Big Apple.

Every time a new artist joins the mix in the store, we are thankful.

Every time you say our name lovingly in a group of friends, we are thankful.

Every time our children remind us what unconditional love is, we are thankful.

Every time the store fills with customers, we are thankful.

And every year we thank our lucky stars for getting the chance to try and make a difference for local artists, for American hand craft, for community charities, and for small business.

With all our love, Happy Thanksgiving.

Casey & Sloane

Kicking off the AIDS Bicycle Challenge.
Our children asleep on a road trip.
A bit of fun at inventory time with Ryoko.
Pretending to be Vanna White with Women’s Employment Network.
Ladies & Gentlemen: The Red Ribbon Regatta
Casey giving it her all at KCUR’s fund drive
With our parents at the Rising Stars of Philanthropy Luncheon
The Family Load Out from the Smoky Hill River Festival.
Casey and her daughter having a good hair day.

 

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Moving Inside

Just two or three days ago, I moved the geraniums from their roost outdoors to their winter home indoors. I never thought I would be one of those people who harbor plants indoors, but I can’t break myself of this color.

Just two or three days ago, I moved the geraniums from their roost outdoors to their winter home indoors. I never thought I would be one of those people who harbor plants indoors, but I can’t break myself of this color.

I can’t imagine why.

They spent the winter with us indoors last year and brightened the days. Especially the days I spent in the kitchen at the table near them. Slippers on. Magazines at the ready. Child and husband still sleeping. The light flooded in from the south and made the pinks pinker. Or maybe that was just my mood adjusting.

These photos were taken in June before the summer battled them into not blooming much until late August. Both of us tired and fatigued, I watered them and waited. They gave me a grand fall, and I look forward to a bright winter.

 

If you have a summer favorite you bring indoors, I’d love to hea

In a few of these anecdotes, the telescope saw limited initial use and then it was simply incorporated into the home’s décor—gathering dust in a corner. It became obvious to me that what the family could have benefited from more would have been a spotting scope. And, in all of the cases, the spotting scope wasn’t even on the purchase radar. By default, everyone thinks the telescope is the best way to explore the heavens and it truly is, but the spotting scope presents a great and versatile alternative. Let’s look at the buying choices between spotting scopes and telescopes so that, if you are in the market for yourself, the family, or a space-exploring enthusiastic youngster, you can get something that everyone will enjoy and something from which all will enjoy a great deal of use.

Before we dive in: if you arrived here knowing you want a telescope, but are unsure what type to get, click on over to our telescope buying guide and enjoy the view!

TL;DR
Spotting scopes offer unmatched versatility and durability for primarily terrestrial viewing (think birding) and some astronomical viewing, here you can get the best spotting scope under 500. Telescopes give you a superior view of the heavens, but are less portable, less durable, and slightly more difficult to use than a spotting scope.

Portability
While there are certainly small and portable telescopes, the spotting scope is relatively lightweight and designed for use in the field. Many come with “C-thru” cases (or they are available separately) that protect the scope’s body from wear and scratches while allowing you to use the scope, try the best spotting scope under 300. Larger telescopes can be boxed up and taken out into a dark sky area—often the big telescopes will be transported in two or three separate boxes—they are definitely not designed around portability in the same way a spotting scope is designed.

r about it.

Sloane

 

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Copyright Casey Simmons and S. Sloane Simmons. People who steal other people's words & thoughts are asshats. Don't be an asshat.