July-Jinks - 2018 #31SRW Photography Challenge

So today in the 31 day photography challenge Shelley gives us the prompt of Clutter.  While food and clouds gave me a challenge I couldn't overcome, clutter is pure simplicity for me!

It seems like everywhere I look in our house there is clutter.  I know we are not the only ones who feel that way because I hear a lot of talk about people going minimalist and there are a lot of folks my age looking to downsize.

We've slowly been trying to take steps to repurpose some of the things we no longer hold dear.  I've started a collection of things we may use for a garage/yard sale this summer.   

In addition to this batch, there are 2 more plastic containers in my closet and I haven't even gone through MY clothes yet!

How much space we will have when these things are gone remains to be seen.  I have a feeling that no matter what it is still going to look like we have a lot of stuff.  If we are able to sell some things, that would be a bonus.  If not, I'll call the local charity and have them come and pick it all up.  

I don't know if taking all the color out makes it look any less cluttery. 

Some may consider this clutter too, but to me it is artist at work.

I'm making a baby album and when I am deep in the process, things are everywhere. 

In this instance, I think making it black and white makes it look a little bit more organized.  

I did make a bag of crafty items that I know I won't use to give to our friends who are coming over today to watch the safe and sane fireworks we are allowed to shoot off.  She is a teacher and I know that supplies are sometimes hard to come by so win-win for both of us!  How about you?  Got clutter?  Trying to downsize? 

Thanks again to Shelley at Quaint Revival for organizing this little picture program.  Have a happy 4th to all in the USA.  

Blogging From A to Z - 2018 - A is for App

Welcome to Day 1 of the A to Z Challenge for 2018.  Yes, it is April 1 but this is no April Fool's joke.  This year I'm blogging my way through the alphabet in Michaels Arts and Crafts Store.  I wrote about starting to work there last September and Jacqui Murray from Word Dreams made a comment that it would be a good subject for an A to Z theme and I had to agree.  So, thanks Jacqui!  Here we go.

Since the name of the store is actually Michaels Arts and Crafts, you might have thought I would start with Art but I am using neither Arts nor Crafts as letters in my alphabet!  Instead I am starting with App, as in the Michaels App that you can download for your smartphone or tablet.  This is what it looks like on my screen.

The Anatomy of the App as defined by the handout that Michaels gives.

This is what my home screen looks like.  From it I can navigate to lots of different places.  By tapping on the little scissors on the upper right corner I can get to the latest coupon deals.  I can say that there are usually coupons of some sort EVERY SINGLE DAY so it is to your benefit to access this information from your phone and even more benefit for all concerned if you access it BEFORE you get to the check out counter.  If you have trouble, the cashiers will be more than happy to help.  If you are a Michaels Rewards member (and you should be) your rewards code will be there as well and the cashier can scan that too.     

Also available in the app is a map of the store.  Michaels can be an overwhelming experience, even to a veteran shopper.  This map will show you aisle by aisle where everything is.  True, you may need a magnifying glass to see it, but it is there!  There is a search bar and you can use that to search for something specific.  If you find a product and you want to know how much it costs, you can tap the bar code icon and a scanner will appear so that you can scan the item and find the price.

Tapping on the Weekly Ad icon at the bottom of the screen will take you to the page showing what is on special sale that week.  From the example below you can see that there are 8 Featured Deals, 11 Deals $10 and under, 30 Art Supply Deals, etc.  If you tap on the $10 and under deals, you get a list of what deals are $10 or less.   

You can also just shop by category.  Say you are looking for some baking supplies.  You would click on that and it would take you to the things available in the baking section.  Say you wanted to bake 48 muffins.  We have a pan for that!

Scrolling down shows that it is available on Aisle 2 in our store. 

Scrolling down even farther you can see what other supplies you might need, such as cupcake liners and scrolling even farther you can see some recipes that go along with the muffin pan.

Isn't that a helpful feature?  You can do that with just about every category!

You can also get ideas for projects on the app.  Just click on the "Projects" icon on the bottom of the screen and you'll get a list that looks like this:

Clicking on Make the Trend shows you the most popular things that are trending on Pinterest and in the kids world, like Slime.  I tell you I am so glad my kids are too old for that particular craze!

There are also Holiday and Seasonal crafts to choose from.



















You know I am a paper crafter so I chose that category.  From that I saw that there was a craft using Washi Tape.  I am in love with Washi tape so if I choose that, it shows me this craft to make, the  Washi-Embellished Round Box.  Scrolling down shows me what I need to make the project, where to find it in the store and the instructions:

Isn't that cool?  You can literally spend hours just on the app before you even head for the store.  You can add the things to "your list" and then when you get to the store you can go right to where you need to go.  Also, if you would rather order things online and save yourself a trip, it is possible to order through the app.  It takes you to Michaels website and if the products are available there, you can order them and save yourself a trip.  Be aware though, that some things that are sold in the store may not be online and vice versa.

And so begins the A to Z of Michaels Arts and Crafts.  I hope you have enjoyed the lesson on the App and how valuable it can be as a tool to navigate the store and find the best deals.  If you have any questions, leave me a comment and I'll try to answer them.  Come with me tomorrow where we will discover what B has in store! 

Make sure to stop by the A to Z Challenge list and see what other participants are offering.  There is always something new and unique going on!


(Note:  All pictures used in this blog series were taken by me at local Michaels stores).

Oh Man, It's October - Back to Work on the Outside

After working from home for 17 years, it was time for me to go back into the world outside and get a job.  This was not something I really would have chosen to do.  I like working from home for myself, sometimes even in my pajamas, because I could.  My time was my own and if I had to go to an appointment or be with my husband or kids, I could make my schedule flexible enough to do that.  Unfortunately, the nature of my business changed with the advancement of technology and, while I am old enough to retire and collect Social Security, the longer I wait to do that, the more money I'll make so I talked it over with my husband and applied for a job at my favorite craft store, Michaels. 

In September I posted this picture as one of my 365 pictures:

I had just had an interview with the assistant manager at one of our local Michaels Crafts Stores.  I got the job and on September 17, I began working.  The first few days were mostly spent on the computer getting oriented to the rules and regulations of working retail.  A little time was spent watching the cashiers but by the third day I was assigned a cash register and left on my own.   

Not totally alone because there is usually more than one cashier and I have a headset on so I can ask questions and everyone is very patient and informative.  Most of the transactions are simple sales but there are returns and occasionally someone will bring an item up that has no price on it and I have to call for a price check.  I try to be as quick and efficient as I can because sometimes the line winds around the store!

Michaels has always been one of my favorite places to shop and they have really good deals.  In addition, I get an employee discount!  I made a promise to myself not to shop until I had earned two paychecks.  I got my second one last week so look out! 

We have soda and snack machines in the break room and I even have my own locker.  I had to keep the combination written on a piece of paper (along with all my other passwords and employee number) because I couldn't remember everything.  It is getting easier now. 

On the bulletin board in the back of the break room there is a place for encouraging and supportive notes from managers and coworkers.  I got one for helping with a slime event!   

I am used to looking for coupons and I saw one the other day on the floor at Safeway.  I recognized it immediately as one of the coveted "entire purchase" discounts!

My kids told me that working in retail was going to be difficult and that people were going to yell at me.  I have had a few less than pleasant customers but I find that if I start them out with a smile and a friendly greeting, things usually go smoothly.  If I can offer them some kind of discount, that works well to shift the tone too!

I did notice that I am a little tired when I get home and I am having to pay more attention to what day it is and what time it is so I get all my transcription work done before I go to the store to work there.  They have already asked me a couple of times if I could stay longer than I was scheduled and of course I said yes.  Technically I am a seasonal hire and they could let me go in January after the holidays end but I am hoping that I am doing a good enough job that they will want to keep me around for a while.  

How about you?  Ever switched careers?  Worked in retail?  Pay attention to the name tag on the cashier?  Shop at Michaels?  Love to hear about it.  

Fancy-Free February - 2017

Just a few more days and March will be upon us.  I know you're dying to see the latest pictures in my 365 project!

#48 - Everyday is a gift.  This is important to remember, especially when things seem like they are not going as well as we expect them to or we are feeling like we are living a boring, hum drum life.  I thank God every morning when I wake up...well, when I have my first cup of coffee anyway! 

#49 - Tea Time 

I've been drinking a lot of tea lately because it has been so cold.  At least two cups are with this tea which is helping me with my weight loss I'm sure.  

#50 - Fire department to the rescue!  With the recent wind and rain we had a power line that looked like it was going to come down and so we called the fire department to come and check it out.  It was hanging down really low and we get a lot of large trucks up and down our street.  The wonderful San Bruno Fire Department was there within 10 minutes and they tested the wire to see if it was electrical or cable.  They determined it was a cable wire and since it was the weekend, they promised to report it to the cable company on the next business day...That was 3 days ago and even though we have called the cable company ourself as well, it still hasn't been fixed.  Fortunately it is not affecting our cable so we'll just continue to monitor the situation! 

#51 - Flood waters!  When we get a lot of rain as we have the past few days a big puddle forms on the sidewalk and at the end of our driveway.  Since we in California were in a state of drought, I say let it pour.  Grateful that I can work from home and not have to go out and drive in it!

#52 - Scrap Time Score!  One of my favorite crafters was having a second hand sale.  Since she goes to a lot of the craft and hobby shows and has a website and does instructional videos, she gets a lot of product to try as a tester and as gift packages at the shows.  I love when she decides she has too much stuff and has a sale.  Even if the things have been slightly used, I feel like I am getting something from a celebrity!  Most of this stuff was still brand new in the packages and the whole lot of it cost about what two stamp sets would cost!  Can't wait to start using it!

#53 - Inspiration collage.  This is the other side of the collage I featured in picture 43.  I did not think I would have a use for the 2 x 2 page protectors but I really like the way it came together.  Great use of those little bits and pieces I like to save.

#54 - This guy greeted me at my local Safeway when I went shopping today.  He kinda creeps me out.  One of my Facebook friends asked if he was supposed to be a bartender or a party goer who had too much!  I'm not sure but I don't think I'd want to be at a party with him no mater what!

And now we are caught up.  Five days left in February.  March is my birthday month so it is always a fun one for me!  We've got lots happening too with our concerts starting and another trip to Thunder Valley casino! How about you?  How's your February going?  Had much rain or snow?  Ready for March?