She Writes!

As many of you darlins know, my "day job " is being a marketing consultant. Well, what that really means is I'm a contract writer for a short list of technology companies. And, now in tumultuous 2009, what that actually means is I am scouting around looking for work! I don't know if it's economy-related, but the work gravy train is quite slow. I'm doing all sorts of things to get my name out there. I Twitter, here. I think it's called "tweeting" when you post. My Twitter name is robin_writes. Catchy, no? I keep a wordpress.org blog, which I use as a sounding board on marketing-related topics, and I have my work web site. I recently added a page of recent work on my work site. And...I'm on facebook, here.

As I've been making my rounds, prospecting, I thought I would add the blogosphere to my collective shout out. Perhaps folks who read my blog also work at companies that may need a writer! Got a project on your desk that you want to off-load? I write white papers, case studies, press releases, web content, product briefs, and really any type of document that needs to be written for corporate communications. In the technology space, I've written for CA, Inc., Interwoven, Handshake Software, and we shall see who is next! I have a little bio here, that tells you a bit about my work past. I can also help you with web design/development and print design.

Thanks for reading my little ad!

Katie Laughs Out Loud!

Kate, the laughing kitty! Here, she is clearly saying, "Oh Mom, you're so funny." Can you believe those looooooong whiskers!?? Such a pretty kitty.

Bees & Bumps in Beds

So...on Valentine's Day, on the way to lunch, this darling bee decided to land on the windshield. It looks like he's just in the air, but no. We were at a light and I started kvetching that once we started going he might be hurt. We weighed the alternatives, as I snapped pictures of his little gold and black striped self. Since we were headed to the 163, he might get blown off into traffic. Not good. Or should we turn on the wipers to get him off in the neighborhood area? I didn't like that one either, at all. Then, as if he had heard us, *poof* he was gone! Yay! Bee crisis averted. I really have to work at not getting all nutty over the tiniest thing being hurt. It taxes one's energy. And it's totally out of my control, ya know? I don't speak Bee, and as a friend of mine's Dad says, "you can't suckle the whole world." Ah, but I think I try sometimes, at least through the investment of mental anguish.

Next, you will see a bed bump - an almost daily occurrence here at the homestead. It's Katie under the covers. Such a sweet little lumpling. She crawls up from the side, under both the sheet and comforter cover. I think she gets under for the warmth, but also the dark. The shades in the bedroom don't really keep light out, so it's bright enough to send your circadian rhythms diving under the nearest blankie.

Valentine's Day Goodies

A few pictures from Valentine's Day starting with red, fragrant roses from hubby.

After we exchanged cards at home, we dashed to Neiman Marcus for lunch. I have a crazy love for department store cafes, so this was my heart's desire versus dinner out among the maddening crowds.

I had the Mandarin Orange Souffle. And of course, they bring a popover fresh from the oven a millisecond after you sit down - with strawberry butter of course. I decided not to drive James batty with copious pictures of my food, so there is no strawberry butter shot. I meticulously detailed the popovers here at a former lunch at NM with my friend Michele.















James had a grilled scallop salad.










We opted for a 'sweet trio' for dessert, which happened to contain more than a trio, I dare say. Behind the heart cookie were two chocolate dipped strawberries. There was a famous NM choco-chip cookie, a sugar cookie, the two cupcakes, and a center dollop of whipped cream with blackberries. Yum! We were carried out in two red wheelbarrows.

Beds and Breakfast

Sunday was filled with yard work. James cleared out the beds in the front of the house - removed the weed liner, which I hated - and now it's just nice black dirt and plants and a few large rocks and that's it! The weed liner was slowly inching its way up above the soil in places and just looked ugly. No more! It's all gone. While J. cleared beds, I made some breakfast: toasts with cream cheese, smoked salmon, red onion, and capers. And an omelet with tomatoes, mozzarella, and red onion. And a big honkin' hash brown in the center, in case the plate wasn't full enough!? For dessert we had breath mints! Ha! It was all very onion-y.

Katie cat actually joined in to sample a little bit of salmon. She loved it! Such a gourmand, this little kitty. Have I mentioned she eats raw spinach leaves? It's very cute.

Etsy Updates

Today I'm posting some new items on Etsy at my little shopling. I spent some time outside in the nice weather (no one from KY would agree with this, I'm sure, those poor folks...) to take pictures of some new inventory. I had some company as I snapped pics - this bee. He and his comrade in wings were buzzing nearby on the lavender. I am always happy to see bees, after last year's rough time. They seem to be doing better, don't they?

50s fruit napkin rings.
















Vintage rhinestone and pearl pin.















California pottery bowl.

The Editing Team at EMG

So, over here at Essential Marketing Group, we work as a close team -- me and Bernice the bunny and Sebastian the squirrel -- to make sure our sentences are concise and descriptive. Without these guys, I'd be sunk. It's amazing how Sebastian never gets tired! Just look at those eyes, all wide with energy! I think it's the quiet strength of Bernice that keeps him so grounded, lest he should fly across the room! I bet when I leave to put the tea pot on these two step off the window sill and move stuff on my desk. I just know it... Yes, I'm on shaky ground, folks. The office walls are closing in. The paper I'm editing was reviewed and edited by a lawyer who probably wore out the Comment feature on his Word Track Changes. But, hey, in this economy, I'm ecstatic to have this work. So, forward I go, happily and gratefully.

The Cure for Cold Writer's Hands

Don't I look cozy? All bundled in my mittens? I clearly have a sweater theme going - see my last post. My friend, Miss S., over at yonder Foziewisp blog, knitted me these darling mittens for Christmas! And of course, she also knitted a mug cozy to go along. Now, Mr. Mug and I are warm and toasty as we weather the cold in ye olde office. Why is this room so darn cold? I realize it gets no sun; all the sun is in the dining room!

I so don't want to work today. I want to pile onto the couch with tea and a blanket and watch Pt. 2 of Masterpiece Theatre's Wuthering Heights! But instead I am revising a document that has been edited by a lawyer! Blerg.

Special Keyboard Arm Sweater

Kate simply has to be close any time I am home, except when she chooses to take a 4-, 5-, or 6-hour nap.

Let's see, can I still type on the keyboard with this arm sweater? Oh, I guess so. I try to deter her by putting the pink baby blankie on my desk as a draw - at least to a few inches away - so I can work. But she still finds a way to weasel in. Such a loving kitty, but what a drain on productivity! :o)

Happy Inauguration Day!

What an amazing event! The word "hope" has taken on new meaning.

From an Old Goat

So, back in December, I made a small donation to Apifera Farm to sponsor an old goat named Guinnias who needed some help with his transportation costs to Apifera Farm, his new forever home. In return, I was sent a scrumptiously scented bunch o' lavender from Katherine Dunn, an artist and owner of the farm. Boy, is it fragrant! Katherine does lots of things in the way of helping animals, mostly senior ones that often go unnoticed. What a huge heart she has.

But just look at the darling sticker that was on the bunch of buds:















And of course, an equally cute stamp thanking the bees. Bees must be thanked, don't you agree? And who is that peering out by the window?

My Etsy Comeback

It's a new year, and I want to start posting things to my Etsy shop again! My first round did not prove successful, as there was nary a purchase, but maybe with new inventory? We shall see. Meanwhile, check out this darling child's tea set. I found it at an antique shop in La Jolla that was closing. The shop had been there for ages, but no more. Sadly, it is not unusual in this economy. I'll have the little tea set on "the shelves" of TheRobinShop by tomorrow. I want to take a cuter picture of it, maybe one without Miss Kate standing beside it?!

A World of Possibilities

The feeling of the New Year unfolding is like breathing in a deep, full breath of fresh air, and breathing out a world of possibilities. It's as if someone hands you a blank slate and says, "go create a beautiful year." I love the new year and the energy it bestows. Happy New Year everyone! May we all enjoy long, happy, healthy days filled with family, fun, and laughter.