Grandpa.... and my vacation

I'm not sure if I mentioned, but I've been out of town since the 1st of April. I first went to LA to hang with friends and go to my best friend's wedding. I booked my next flight late, so I had to wait 'til the 13th to leave LA and head to Portland to see my grandfather. When I called my uncle, I was informed that my Grandfather had been in the hospital for the last week and a half.
I got into Portland Monday night and my wonderful friend, Brian over at Scapegoat Tattoo picked me up and we went out to eat at the By and By. (Not sure how it's spelled or anything, I mean,I could look it up, but I don't feel like it.)
Anyway, I had a vegan meatball sub and collard greens. It was scrumptious. Next we went to Voo Doo Donuts and I had my first vegan doughnut. And I couldn't tell you when the last time I actually had a doughnut was. Maybe, 5 years ago. This one was a jelly filled man with a chocolate glaze. Oh man.... so good.
Then we went back to his place and passed out. In the morning, we walked over to SweetPea Baking Company and had some lunch/breakfast. I had the UnChicken salad Sandwich, which of course was fantastic and had lots of mustard on it. It was made of TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein).
While waiting for my uncle to pick me up, I went over to Food Fight Grocery to buy some essentials I didn't bring with me and then my uncle arrived with his wife.
From there we went straight to the hospital in Clackamas, OR. I'm going to to have to skip a bunch of stuff, because I don't have much time, and I don't want to cry all over my computer and in the middle of this starbucks.
We sat with my grandpa for a few hours. My uncle, Bruce, his wife, Mary, my grandpa's wife, Ann, and her friend Pam, were all there holding his hands and talking to him in between his naps.
This was Tuesday. After the hospital, we went back to Bruce's and I stayed the night there. Wednesday we woke up, had oatmeal, and went on over the hospital where we met Ann and her friend Pam, who were already there. This was at 11:30am. We ended up staying until about 6:30pm. During which, grandpa's friend, Bernie stopped by and shortly after the Pastor of his church and his wife showed up.
Most may know, I'm not religious. I don't believe. But, I bit my tongue and held hands respectively while the Pastor said some words.
That morning, Grandpa decided he had had enough of the tubes and such. He asked to be taken off them and didn't want anymore pain medication. We convinced him, he should be comfortable and agreed to the morphine and also requested some anxiety medication for his nerves.
We had planned on coming back this morning to get a picture of his tattoos so I had a reference to draw from, and also to get a picture of me and him, in his navy uniform, at his request.
We left the hospital and went back to Ann's (I had decided to stay with her because she wasn't sleeping much and I wanted to make her dinner). Bruce and Mary ended up coming over also. I made my famous tomato sauce with chunks of squash, zucchini, mushrooms, olives, tomatoes, green bell peppers and garlic over angel hair pasta. I also made some garlic bread to go with it.
After dinner, I had homemade cookies ready to be scarfed. They didn't last long and today the last one was finished off.
At 10:21pm, the phone rang. Ann had finally gotten to sleep and everyone was resting trying to get the food settled because we all seemed to eat too much.
I answered, and it was the hospital. I thought it was some billing of something. I said I was Wally's granddaughter and the woman on the other line, with out warning, says, I've been trying to get a hold of you to inform you that you grandfather passed away about 30 minutes ago. With a gasp, I said hold on and handed the phone to my his wife, Ann. Which of course, went about the same and she handed the phone to Bruce.
I sat crying with Ann for a bit. And then immediately got up and called his friend Bernie, before it got too late, so that he wasn't surprised when he arrived at the hospital in the morning. He then called the Pastor and the church phone tree was alerted.
Today, my duties involved writing and Obituary, calling his last living relatives and Navy buddies. I got to call Haysi, VA, where he's from and spoke to his cousin, Virginia (yes, Virginia in Virginia) for about 30 minutes. And she couldn't have been nicer. She said so many wonderful things about my grandfather, Johnnie (goes by Johnnie back in VA and KY, but goes by Wally, here in WA). That's when it hit me. I've been in a daze and crying off and on since then. That's about 5 hours now.
I'm planing on going out to meet them soon as well. I sorta feel like I should just go straight there from here, so that I can save on a flight.
All I want to do at this point in crawl in bed and play on the internet, talk to friends about nothing, and watch drew carey episodes. But alas, the internet over at Battle Ground Mobile Home Park is not letting me connect.
So I walked down the street to Starbucks and am sitting here crying in public. Anything is better than crying in front of loved ones that will want to hug me and try to make me feel better. I just have to have time for myself right now, so heal, and think. But, of course, Starbucks doesn't stay open all night, and I'm being kicked out so they can begin the clean up and go home.
Tomorrow, I will have to be sending the obituary and probably call his cousin again to ask some questions.
Thanks for listening, it's time to pee, before my walk home in Battle Ground.... ugh....

They're Heeeere!

How excited am I?! Really excited. Why? Because the Vegan Craft Sample Bag is finally up for sale!
There's a link in the side bar so you can get your today!
There are so many exciting contributors, I just couldn't wait to get my hands on one. I even had it marked in my calendar for the 14th and much to my surprise, there it was. An update from Emma's K9 Kitchen on my facebook saying that she just got hers. So if you're interested in seeing what it's all about, go for it. It's $25 and you're getting way more than that in goodies.

suppling buttons for a club/organization I don't believe in...

It's exactly like the title says. I agreed to do buttons for a group of people, without asking what they were about. Why would I? Well, once I got the check in the mail, I got suspicious as to what it is they do. I did some sluething and it seems to me, they are a group of people that hunt. I have yet to make these buttons. And I'm working up the courage to say something. Because I can't morally do these for them.

A friend, however, suggested I make the buttons, and donate the money to a charity in their name, and mail them the receipt.

Suggestions?

Crazy

Ok so it's been awhile since my last post about being overwhelmed. You all probably thought I had lost my mind or something. Well, here I am. I survived the move. I'm living in Quincy now. It's been pretty cold here with the exception of 2 or 3 days that were nice. Nice being about 50 degrees.

So here's what's been going on. I've been pretty busy here with buttons lately.
Just in the last two weeks I've gotten a lot of orders. Here's what I've had to do:
Joe's Garage - 1,000
Pussy Cow - 200
Roots and Razors - 100
SFVISBF - 50
Johnny - 200
Fix My Head - 100 (rush order)
Naw Dude - 400
Wicked Crafts - 100
And another order for 1,000 from Joe's Garage

and I think that's it. The first order for Joe's Garage was a rush order and it turned out they sent the wrong artwork and had to order another 1,000. Awesome for me. Not for them.

On the home front, we've been baking a lot here. I made some bread, and Jeremy made some Irish Bread that is to die for. I baked some new cookies, adding a chunck of orange chocolate to the center so it's creamy and delicious inside. Provocative.

There's a rad show coming up that my friend Ben Bornstein has put together, called Boston Rules, Ok? It's two days of incredible bands. I, unfortunately will be back in LA for a wedding. And hopefully make some money for rent. I'll be bringing my tooth bling kit if any of you would like to get your bling on. It's $40.
I will have someone at the show selling buttons for me though. And there will be beer magnets as well. Stop by and pick up a flyer and order some custom 1" buttons from me.

And from LA I'm heading to Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA to visit my Gramps. He's pretty sick and not making much sense anymore apparently. :(


I think that's it. I can't think of anything else to report on just yet.

Adorable

overwhelmed

I am moving in 2 days. I am being pulled in 30 different directions. Being told I need to see this person and that person and yet, I am the one moving and packing and trying to fit my life into 6 suitcases. There are a handful of people I would love to see before I leave. But unless these people just show up at my house, I doubt it will happen. I have listed several different events that people can come to and see me.
I have made a list of things I have to do before leaving. And I don't think I should be made to feel bad about not being able to fit other things in. I am also sharing this time with someone on vacation, so I have to do what he wants as well.
My brain, my body, my soul, can not take this non-stop, always on the go business. I need to stop and rest and melt into a chair and watch mind numbing TV. Sorry if that should not be on a list of things to do. But I feel like I'm getting sick, and that's just how it's going to be.
And why does it have to be me that does the calling? Can people not pick up a phone and call me. I hate calling people. It gives me wicked ajida.

On my list of things I need to do:

See Laura/Josh/Aedan
Lunch with Grandma and Cousin
Take Jeremy to get tattooed
Wash Jeep
Sell Jeep at Carmax
Give James and his gf Tooth Bling
Wash Hair
Go to Whitney's (bc her car is non-functioning)
Make my Jeep stop smelling awful
Clean dining room
Pack boxes to mail
Mail Boxes
Order Printer to be shipped to Boston
Find a place to put shoes I love in my suitcases that are already full
Go through suitcases and figure out what I don't need to bring
Last going away thing at the Little Cave in Highland Park on Wednesday
Wash clothes
Meditate

And these all need to be completed tonight and tomorrow.

But, tomorrow consists of:
Leaving at 10am to have lunch with Grandma at 11am
Jeremy has a tattoo appt at 1pm
who knows how long that will take. I am also getting tattooed.
Come home and get ready for last night in town shin dig.

UGH.... I am so frustrated right now.


AND on top the things I need to do, I would love to do these things:
See Danielle
Have lunch with Jennifer
Hang out with Whitney
Hang out with Michelle
Post the pictures from today's adventures

sewing machine!

As you know, I'm moving to Boston Feb 26th. Since I'm flying there, I wont be able to bring a lot of treasured items, such as my printer, artwork, sewing machine, etc. So, I've been looking on craigslist for free sewing machines and printers in the Boston area.

Well, I happened upon an amazing find. A FREE 1940's Singer Sewing machine. It comes in a cabinet and came with a bench. After a week of emailing back and forth with the woman, I had my friend in Boston, go pick it up for me. The picture she had sent me, did not do it justice. This beautiful machine is amazing. Jeremy got it home and without even saying anything about it, he cleaned and polished it.

I'm so excited to get to my new home and use it. I'll post pictures when I get there!

xoxo,
jenny.

New Items on Etsy

New items listed today! LOTS!! New necklaces, rings and keychains.

Very excited about all of these. More vegan necklaces and some really pretty stone rings.

YARD SALE!!!

I'm having an awesome yard sale this Saturday, that's tomorrow, at 8am.

Since I'm moving, I'll be selling things I normally wouldn't be selling.

At this sale, there will be 3 aquariums, with supplies, artwork, picture frames, jewelry (this includes the items I make and sell on etsy), clothing, books, my Jeep Cherokee, etc.

So come out and buy my stuff.

Oh and this is a joint yard sale with a friend of mine, so she'll have awesome things for sale as well! Come check it out!

306 N. Lomita St.
Burbank, CA 91506

I did! I got a Treasury!

Yay for me! I got a treasury. It took both of my computers being on to get one, but I did.



Featuring team members from CFE Team, Team Efa, EtsyVeg Team, and VeganEtsy Team.