City Sampling

Yesterday marked the fifth (?) year in a row that Alison and I got our butts out of bed in the middle of the night just to sit outside of Target in the cold of November.  Okay, okay, so I skipped a year.  It was the year Lucy was born and Tony and I were sharing a car as we had just moved to Austin.  Alison still went (alone) and bought me a copy of that year's City Sampler for Christmas.  And, no, she doesn't let me forget it ;)

The City Sampler is a compilation of music by different artists and only 33,000 copies are made.  Each Target in the twin cities area gets about 100-200 copies and each peson is allowed to purchase up to two.  All of the proceeds go to charity and all of the music is either live or recorded in Studio C at the station. Most songs are great acoustic versions of favorites that you will not hear anywhere else.

 I have been going to get the sampler every year since before Tony and I were even together and the other day he told me he doesn't believe people actually sit and wait.  He also didn't believe that I would wear his (what I like to call) 8 Mile jacket.  I look like either a female version of Eminem or a white version of Missy Elliott in this jacket.  I have tried to throw it away many times and Tony has caught me.  Ever since I discovered how warm it is I keep it around to wear just that one time every year.  Only for the Sampler!!  Here is the proof I had promised.

 This was actually when it was getting light out.

I could have fit three of me in this stupid jacket.  I look about 300 lbs.  And I wore a rapist hat.

Alison and I taking pictures of the line after people put their chairs and things away.  Our spot in line was right under the red groceries sign.

The line after us at about 7:30.  The store opens at 8.  One year we got there at 6:30 and were within the last five people to get one.  Ever since we show up about 4:00. 

I have to say, of all of the samplers I have ever heard, this one was a bit disappointing.  At least I get a couple of solid one on one time with Al and we get to catch up and just sit together - no distractions.  Love her and our time together. 

You may have noticed that the Target ban wasn't up until today and yet there I was at Target yesterday.  Yes, I made an exception for the City Sampler.  Okay, fine.  I actually gave in on Wednesday night when I was arriving into Hudson and needed diapers for the girls.  I wish I could tell you that I stuck to just the diaper aisle and bought nothing more, but I'd be lying.  I did do pretty well.  I only bought one teeny tiny little clearance shirt for Lucy.  And I didn't venture beyond the baby section.

Today I did a CycleBox class.  I thought my workout partners were trying to trick me into a 45 min class but they claim they didn't know it was that long.  I have to admit I loved it.  I dread cycling and, yes I took lots of water breaks to get out of that room, but I really did love it.  We have have been pleasantly surprised this week with classes like Deep Water Fitness and CycleBox.  The true test will be staying motivated to work out on my own next week over the holiday so that I am not struggling even worse when we get back.  I wish I could say we've been consistently working out three times a week but last week I missed a class due to my lost keys fiasco and this past Tuesday...well....I just didn't really want to go...

I find motivation reading my friend's sister's weightloss journey blog.  I found out she lost SIXTY POUNDS on Weight Watchers.  As I told her, she is my hero.

Last night I had some drinks with my workout partners (Kristy and Monica - we should come up with a team name/nickname so I can stop calling you my workout partners) and discussed some potential business partnership.  Kristy has an awesome vision for a store of handmade goods as she is also an amazing artist with her own Etsy shop.  Monica is our high school math teacher turned SAHM who says she wants to work our numbers for us.  What do you think? Combination handmade accesories and gifts store meets trendy boutique?

We have a soft spot for Austin Main Street and recently the Main St bar has been raised.  Some other friends of mine just opened The Style Lounge Salon and are bringing a much needed touch of class to the area.  Congrats again, Lindsey and Jill!

Thanks to my generous friend, Lynne, in a couple of weeks I will have some very nice presentable pictures of all of my Etsy goods to put up for my shop. Now if only someone wanted to do some easy graphic design as a favor or for a trade....Anyone? Anyone at all?

Anyway, before we take all of these pictures I, of course, need to get all of my projects done. I just recieved my first 'bulk order' to do 25 headbands for the Hudson High School dance team via my BFF Amanda. I am excited to see how they look on her dancers!  This weekend will be booked solid.  Tony says I look like I work in a sweat shop when I am going to town on my sewing machine making ruffle after ruffle.  My dining room is covered in JoAnn Fabrics shopping bags and I make Lucy sit on her potty in front of me while I have Clara nursing in my lap.  It is quite the production - let me tell you :).