Alright. I'm sorry. In and around wanting to tell you how exciting it is to do this job and all the new things I experience, is real life.
Norm: Norm has recovered well from the cancer treatments and is now taking a little bit of testerone to increase the hormone level in his body. He has a bit more energy, taking fewer naps. However, taking over from me (Carol) while I am gone to festivals or family visits is a bit much for him. I need to figure out how he can better deal with those days. He's doctor has requested that Norm work only 20 hours per week. Norm is now starting to think about working fewer hours than that. Norm has had difficulty with his blood pressure meds making his blood pressure too low. Norm has had eye surgery. He is presently recovering from that. Helen, his wife, is doing well. She continues to volunteer and seems to be happy with being in retirement.
The store is doing well. It has taken me 3 weeks to neaten everything up after the month of festivals etc. I don't enjoy being here by myself but we continue to have no money to hire someone part time.
I have expanded the types of chocolate we sell..well... all from Sweet Earth Chocolates of course. We have a greater variety of notecards, cds, some ornaments, mousepads. In the serious vane, I have expanded the choices for seniors, preschoolers, boomwhackers, and classroom. I have also worked on getting more reading material for those interested in composing/arranging and in the artistic/movement aspect of our art form.
Carol
Handbell Wall
Friday, August 10, 2012
Thursday, July 26, 2012
July 26, 2012
Well, we had a wonderful time at Cincinnati and Duluth. New displays. New friends.
oh. sorry.
oh. sorry.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
July 12, 2012
Just about at that place where I'm ready for the next Seminar! Duluth was an absolute blast, not only personally but also business-wise.
1. I totally changed the display and braved getting a second booth. Worked perfectly. My friend Joanne helped me run the display. We were a good team.
2. I also decided to ring in the Massed Ensemble. This made me more exhausted but it was fun and I got to ring under both David Weck and John Behnke. David is a new acquaintance but I've "known" John for a while and it was nice to work under him as a ringer. Both have a wonderful sense of humor.
3. I followed the advice of a few people: I brought my computer and a printer, I put out the reading session music so people could look at it, I started using a credit card phone reader.
There were pluses and minuses to the last. Mostly because the exhibit area was in a concrete room it was hard to get phone reception.
When I went back to work on Monday the 2nd, I needed to put together 4 reading sessions worth of music. Hopefully it'll sell. I won't know until next week.
Then this coming Monday, the 16th, I drive to National Seminar in Cincinnati. I working on getting things set up now.
1. I totally changed the display and braved getting a second booth. Worked perfectly. My friend Joanne helped me run the display. We were a good team.
2. I also decided to ring in the Massed Ensemble. This made me more exhausted but it was fun and I got to ring under both David Weck and John Behnke. David is a new acquaintance but I've "known" John for a while and it was nice to work under him as a ringer. Both have a wonderful sense of humor.
3. I followed the advice of a few people: I brought my computer and a printer, I put out the reading session music so people could look at it, I started using a credit card phone reader.
There were pluses and minuses to the last. Mostly because the exhibit area was in a concrete room it was hard to get phone reception.
When I went back to work on Monday the 2nd, I needed to put together 4 reading sessions worth of music. Hopefully it'll sell. I won't know until next week.
Then this coming Monday, the 16th, I drive to National Seminar in Cincinnati. I working on getting things set up now.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
June 6, 2012
Six plus six equals 12. That's what I woke up thinking today. Go figure. Definitely not a "war" baby. But then, aren't we all?
So, we decided to rent 20' this year at both the Area 7 and Cincinnati Festivals. Last night while I listened to Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, I worked out how I was going to organize our products on 5 tables. I still need to do it physically. Usually, I've tried to have 24' of tables with 16' of tables on both sides. I have to decide exactly what I'm going to bring. Thankfully we have a few friends who keep giving us ideas. It does help having suggestions.
May was a quiet month. The Permanently Out of Print sale went...so-so. Not as well as I'd like. There are so many interesting changes to do to the store and the collection..display-wise. As I get to understanding what works and what doesn't, changes get made and new things get added.
So, we decided to rent 20' this year at both the Area 7 and Cincinnati Festivals. Last night while I listened to Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, I worked out how I was going to organize our products on 5 tables. I still need to do it physically. Usually, I've tried to have 24' of tables with 16' of tables on both sides. I have to decide exactly what I'm going to bring. Thankfully we have a few friends who keep giving us ideas. It does help having suggestions.
May was a quiet month. The Permanently Out of Print sale went...so-so. Not as well as I'd like. There are so many interesting changes to do to the store and the collection..display-wise. As I get to understanding what works and what doesn't, changes get made and new things get added.
Friday, May 11, 2012
May 11, 2012
I'm trying to update our system. It's kind of frustrating. I need someone around me who understands all this mess.
Oh well. May 17 - June 16th we are going to have a Permanently Out of Print Sale. All POP music will be 15% off. Funny thing about this music is that some of it is quite good but you know it was published 20-30 years ago...or it's been republished for 3-5 octaves and nobody wants to talk about the 3 octave or 2 octave versions.
And of course, styles have changed. So 3 octave music that was written absolutely melodically is considered "too open" for today. Norm and I keep on thinking, well, maybe ensembles should play them. So, we did have a good reach last year. We're going to try it again this year.
Also, I'm thinking about Christmas in July. Kind of selling some of our gifts at a reduced price for a couple of weeks.
Oh well. May 17 - June 16th we are going to have a Permanently Out of Print Sale. All POP music will be 15% off. Funny thing about this music is that some of it is quite good but you know it was published 20-30 years ago...or it's been republished for 3-5 octaves and nobody wants to talk about the 3 octave or 2 octave versions.
And of course, styles have changed. So 3 octave music that was written absolutely melodically is considered "too open" for today. Norm and I keep on thinking, well, maybe ensembles should play them. So, we did have a good reach last year. We're going to try it again this year.
Also, I'm thinking about Christmas in July. Kind of selling some of our gifts at a reduced price for a couple of weeks.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
April 24, 2012
Heeyyyyy!! I had a blast at Ely. It was the first time I've ever attended a class on "How to Teach New Ringers". Venita MacGorman gave us ideas and taught about 8 people how to ring. Her ideas are very specific and are in the beginning of first Basics book she co-wrote with her daughter Erin. I'm ready for Fall!!!! Then she talked through both books and now I understand how to use the 2nd book. Yes!!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
April 17, 2012
Well, April is more normal now. Weather wise of course. I haven't heard how the High School Handbell Happening went. KidsRing will have 50 some persons. It will be wonderful. Norma is looking forward to her Spring Ring and I just touched base with Tina for the Director's Seminar in Ely Ia. They're planning on 25.
I've talked with friends who have various handbell programs happening. Aldersgate UMC in St. Louis Park, MN on April 22nd at 4:00 pm is one of Carol's annual outings. They have 4 handbell choirs and a huge variety of music. Plus the congregation is so friendly and welcoming. Bell Fantasia is coming to Burnsville Performing Arts Center April 27. I'm planning on going to that as well. St. Olaf College Handbell Choir, Bells of the Lakes, and Northern Lights Ringers will be performing.
I've realized that I (Carol) get the most fun out of talking with people and groups and creating an entry for the Bell Folk and Stuff page on our website. April featured Katherine Jordahl Larson. May will feature Julie Stitts. I also enjoy the people who come into the store and talk about their needs and brainstorm with Norm and I. I learn alot as well as explain a bit too.
I think one of our (all handbell ringers/directors/composers) best assets is each other. I think we should talk with each other and work through ideas. It's amazing what others do.
I've talked with friends who have various handbell programs happening. Aldersgate UMC in St. Louis Park, MN on April 22nd at 4:00 pm is one of Carol's annual outings. They have 4 handbell choirs and a huge variety of music. Plus the congregation is so friendly and welcoming. Bell Fantasia is coming to Burnsville Performing Arts Center April 27. I'm planning on going to that as well. St. Olaf College Handbell Choir, Bells of the Lakes, and Northern Lights Ringers will be performing.
I've realized that I (Carol) get the most fun out of talking with people and groups and creating an entry for the Bell Folk and Stuff page on our website. April featured Katherine Jordahl Larson. May will feature Julie Stitts. I also enjoy the people who come into the store and talk about their needs and brainstorm with Norm and I. I learn alot as well as explain a bit too.
I think one of our (all handbell ringers/directors/composers) best assets is each other. I think we should talk with each other and work through ideas. It's amazing what others do.
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