Spokane Shrinking Violet Society

Let me ask you this: Why is it that sometimes the hardest thing to believe in is yourself? Maybe some people have no qualms letting their freak flag fly but for others it’s just so hard?

The reason I bring this message to you today is because I wanted to remind everyone that all it takes is a little push to get out there and follow your dreams. How many of us have vowed to lose weight and then chow down and not exercise, forgetting to take care of our very important selves? How about neglecting to put yourself out there and take a chance? What excuses are you telling yourself?

The point is this: forget all that. Don’t beat yourself up for forgetting to believe in yourself.  Here is a funny story to remind you all that life is worth the heartache of trying.

About 4 years ago I decided that I was going to become perfect and work out and look amazing. I started going to yoga every day. It rocked. My bod was lookin hot, I felt saucy inside and I felt myself smiling for no reason at all. Then I got a cold, no big deal. Did I let that stop me from eating healthy and going to yoga? Hell no. Then on one fateful day after I had reached very close to my goal weight this happened. Recovering from my cold, I found myself  still kicking ass and taking names in yoga. You know that saying: “You’d betta recognize!” Well I was saying, “You’d betta namaste!” In class we were doing this one stretch with our legs up against the wall and I was feeling good. Perhaps a little too relaxed. I coughed and out came this fart that sounded like a fog horn.

First of all, who wouldn’t die from laughter about that? I almost did, but after apologizing and dying 1000 deaths from embarrassment, I left after the class and didn’t go back to the gym or yoga for quite some time. Now that I’m older, I think what a stupid thing! It was just a little rooty tooty fresh and fruity, no reason to get off the bandwagon.

There are so many reasons to not do something, to give up, and make excuses. So what if you fail? So what if you fart? Who doesn’t fail or fart in life? So maybe this is a little hopeful and touchy feely message for you. I just wanted to tell you that life is worth the risks!

That’s all I have to say today, I hope you think about it.

I recently had the awesome experience of interviewing local author Craig Goodwin. He wrote A Year of Plenty- A book about his family’s experiences with going green and local and a whole lot more awesomeness. Ever since then, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking.  Why don’t more people grow small backyard gardens?  I actually consider myself a gardener but I’ve never had a full on vegetable garden. I think it’s all of the little things that overwhelm me. If you don’t already have a garden plot I think that can really deter the thought of even trying. Of course, you can always rent a community plot, but if you have the permission to dig up your front yard or you own your house/yard, why not?

So here’s what I’ve decided to do. I bought a few of the seed starter packets and a bunch of seed packets and some regular dirt. I know some experienced gardeners will gasp when they read it was the cheap stuff but I figure I will get better top soil for the actual plot. One of my biggest concerns is the actual plot. I can hoe like a mo fo but anyone who didn’t hear the tale of my 25 skunks/racoons last year might fear for my veggies. So I think I will make a raised bed with a huge cage over it. The front lawn is the only place that gets a lot of sun so I think that will have to be the place. I also scored a bunch of free tomato cages from some weird dude on the side of the highway so that is bitchin’ right there. I think my biggest costs are going to be the non treated wood and the top soil. I saw an ad on craigslist for free Hillyard top soil but I just don’t know about that. Hillyard? I’m afraid 5 broken down cars and gross mattresses will pop up out of my garden instead of veggies. Yes, I know that’s mean but I’m still bitter after buying my now broken lawn mower from a dude living in Hillyard and also still bitter from a  stinky antique shop that made me sick. So, I guess this will all be one step at a time. I mean, what isn’t?

I was thinking it might be fun to start documenting this and giving you all little updates because maybe it will inspire you to grow a small garden. Just something to think about. And by the way, those are flowers in the picture and although they recommend putting only two seeds in each cell (which I swear I did) somehow there’s at least 20 plants in some of them. I know they look a little sickly but that is because I found my cat sleeping on the box and munching away on the seedlings as she enjoyed the afternoon sun. Damn cat.

On another note, I’ve been noticing a lot of comments about how to join our group. I’m going to post more information about us for those of you interested in joining. Now I’m off to do one million things as this is my only day off and I might have to go to work for a few hours later. And yes, I still haven’t done my taxes. But the good news is I am getting over my sickness and starting to shower again. So, if you have any sort of tips or advice about gardening, comment and tell me what the word on the street is? Please.

Have a great day and remember to smile!

Now that I am an official interning professional, I will be blogging on Fridays instead  of Thursdays. I know this may cause a tear for some but it will be alright, I will deliver even better blogs on Fridays now!

Hey everyone! Welcome to our page. Just a reminder, this Saturday is April’s Ladies Who Lunch! Join us at One World Cafe,  at 1804 E Sprague Ave from 11am – 1pm!

I wish I could join you but I will be freaking out all day in preparation for the talent show that night! If you haven’t gone to One World yet, I can honestly say you are missing out. And if you haven’t been to a Violet’s event yet, this is a great way to meet everyone and find out how you can get involved. Eat a vegan cupcake for me!

There is nothing worse than making a bitchin dress and then not being able to wear it to the occasion. Am I right? Of course there are worse things, but in the days of drama this is a very serious issue. Now, please understand that I finally stopped crying and feeling really sick to be able to write to you and tell you the life story of my Roller Prom dress ’11.

It seemed to good to be true: Joining the Violets not only because they rock but because they like to wear purple- my favorite color. And I have to say since joining them I feel I’ve able to become connected better and faster in Spokane than I ever would have alone, and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve learned of a Violet thing and got a little misty with pride for us. Afterall, you’d think everyone would be chomping at the bit to make their community and area better but it really takes a beautiful soul to care and follow through.

Naturally when I heard we were going to have a roller party for our birthday and dress up in awesome prom dresses, I was ecstatic! I kept reading updates on facebook about people finding their dress and suddenly I felt like the awkward folding chair single girl at Thanksgiving. I pride myself in being Queen Thrifty but I couldn’t find a hideous rocking dress to wear! I have to confess I was googling “Tool dresses” and then I read someone’s post about buying ‘tulle’ and immediately dubbed myself an idiot. (I freakin sew, man! I should’ve known that was not the way to spell tulle!) Anyway, I thought to myself, Hot damn! That’s it! A homemade dress!

Now anyone who knows me knows I’ve had a sickeningly full plate for a while, and not for any grand purposes other than grad school. The crappy job I had took up more than free time for activities, it made my soul question whether I was crazy or not. Yes, it was serving food but 11 years is too much for that, and that is another story. I thought I’d never have enough time to go. In fact, I wanted to go with  fellow Violet Jamie and I imagined us eating biscotti, strutting around Value Village and Goodwill like two sassy chicks out on the town, doing our finest shopping. But then, work called and called and called me to work extra shifts. Next thing I knew, it was one week before roller prom and I was dressless.

The next set of events is just crazy. I went to Moscow to visit my man during Spring Break and I found this ratty dress on the clearance rack. With my new-found knowledge of the spelling of ‘tulle’ I marched into Joann Fabrics and bought a bunch of different color and textures of it. In the checkout line a lady asked what I was making. When I told her it was a dress she gave me that raised eyebrow and said a snarky, “How nice.” I thought, Damn right it’s nice! Now give me my tulle, you tool! I am a woman on a mission and don’t disrespect my dress sistah! People… Sheesh!

So I went home without visiting my man (sorry Aaron) and made this awesome dress in 3 hours!

Well, this is how it came out and I was so proud of it! Then, on Friday I got really sick. I missed a mountain of important things to do that weekend, including the Roller Ball Birthday bash. Some people might say, no big deal. But seriously, I cried my eyes out. I’ve always had  work or school or internships and I’ve missed countless things because of it. I mean, what is the freaking point of being involved in something if you can’t make it to an event!I was so upset about missing the birthday bash and when I see people’s pictures I still get angry.

There is a silver lining in all of this though. Long story short: I quit my job and decided to mound on more student debt. If I can’t find a job after graduation, I figure Sprague always needs more working girls. I can add a touch of class and assist with the urban renewal of the area. But anyway, you can’t cry over spilled dresses but I sure did.

Moral of the story: there is nothing worse than not going to events because you are a lame puppy. Being sick is one thing, but when you finally really want to go and then you can’t: the feeling is like eating a bunch of chocolate and having no milk. Sometimes I think people take events and time for granted but the truth is if you can go: GO. It’s up to us to raise awareness and celebrate our community.

Feel free to comment and show my dress some love. It’s the only thing that didn’t get barfed on last week. (Too far)? Too bad! I live on the edge!

Today is a day to celebrate not only because it’s St. Patty’s day, but it is also the day now known as: I survived my first quarter in grad school! So on my first day free, I have a bunch of cool stuff to do and also tell you about. First and foremost, has anyone heard of someone named Tiffany Patterson? She’s just an amazing artist that has a coloring book available at Tinman Too, aNeMonE, Paper Flowers and Boo Radley’s!  She’s done a bunch of art for us and created our logo!  Anyway, she’s having this amazing contest where you do some adaptation of her work and submit it to win prizes! You have to submit by tomorrow. I saw some of the other submissions and they are pretty much rockin, but is that going to stop me from applying my inner Bob Ross to her art? Hell no, I’m getting crafty up in here soon as I’m done writing this. Plus I dig her since she is going to (hopefully) make an artsy adaptation of me for my new vintage blog,  Miss Shabby ChicK!

Also: Check this out:

The other thing I wanted to tell you about is this limerick contest held by Riverspeak! The  voting for best limerick is tonight at the Checkerboard Tavern from 5:30-7:30 pm.  I’m really wondering what I was thinking when I submitted my limerick because it is very suggestive and I hope I’m not the only one letting my freak flag fly. But the  rules said it had to be brash and bawdy, so by God! I was. And please vote for me. At least a pity vote.

Now, I have something really good to tell you and I saved it for last, hoping perhaps you wouldn’t read this whole blog but if you have, prepare yourself because I can’t believe I’m sharing this. So, you all know I love vintage, right? Well, it’s a little known fact that Carousel-Vintage Clothing has an amazing stash of vintage stuff that hasn’t been seen before in storage. I’ve seen it and I sort of acted like a 12 year old boy’s first sighting of a girly magazine. I tried to keep my cool in front of Jenny Stabile, Carousel owner, but all I wanted was for her to go away and let me be in private so I could die in happiness. Ok, back to reality. So, she’s having a crazy cool sale on Saturday, March 26th from 8am to 6pm and a lot of these items will be out and ready to buy. I, of course, will be working there that day and trying not to cry and rip all of your awesome finds out of your hands and keep it all to my greedy self.  There is a $50 gift certificate to win, 75% off some items, I mean, It’s going to get crazy up in there. So by all means, come on down and check it out! I will be located by the dressing rooms and  will be available to sign autographs for these amazing blogs, and also to help you find items and clean up after you in the dressing rooms. But yes, I also can sign autographs. Ha!

So: To check out Tiffany Patterson:

http://www.uglyyellow.blogspot.com

http://www.tiffanypatterson.carbonmade.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/uglyyellow

To check out Carousel’s sale, find her on facebook and make sure to RSVP to her sale event. (You don’t have to but there’s  a lot of information on that site). She’s also on 110 S Cedar!

And of course, !XXXXX! there is your pinch if you aren’t wearing green. Happy St. Patrick’s day!

Are you busy this Saturday at 11:30 a.m.? If you aren’t, I know for a fact that you will be hungry. So.. you might as well join us for our monthly Ladies Who Lunch at One World Cafe at 1804 E Sprague Ave. Please bring something to share or a donation!

So, this will actually be MY first Ladies Who Lunch. Every Saturday I am busy and cannot go, but this is the event to go to if you are interested in becoming a Violet! So, I hope to meet you there!

Now, I know that many of us still have our old prom dresses or want to go shopping for an awesome ruffled 1980′s hot mess of a dress. Now, you have a reason!

On Saturday, March 26th, we are having a retro roller party!!!  The main party  is at Pattison’s North Skating Rink on 11309 North Mayfair Street! It goes from 7-10pm and costs $6.50. The great news? That includes skate rental! We’ll be pre-funking at Fizzy Mulligans at 5:30pm so feel free to join us there as well! It should be amazing time and I for one, cannot wait to go find my hot mess of a dress.We recommend getting in line early, things can get really busy.

I hope to see you there! I know it will be a very groovy time!

I am assisting another Violet tomorrow most of the day so I won’t be blogging. But I will have something for you on Friday and I expect you to love it! (You will for sure, I promise!)

I get all types of questions about who the Violets are, what they do and more recently, why did I become part of this? So, here’s my story.

Last fall I began searching online for groups/volunteer opportunities I could be involved in when I made my move to Spokane. Nothing I found seemed to fit into who I was or what I wanted to do. I googled Spokane S on accident and came across this very page. I was intrigued. At this time, there was no weekly blogger on this website, just some information and a few links, etc. I quickly discovered that the Violets were also on facebook and I immediately friended them. I posted that I wanted to be a part of this when I moved to Spokane. I never thought anyone would take the time out to reply to me, but they did! Our founder, Mariah McKay took the time out to let me know she was happy to meet with me and invited me to come to their monthly ‘Ladies Who Lunch.’ After that, many people commented on my post and I felt friendships starting to form.

Then, I moved here and was overcome with depression about not finding a job. I didn’t leave the house. I forgot about the Violets. I just marinated in my misery.

One summer day I noticed an invitation on my facebook to attend the writer’s group. Since I love to write but have no idea what I’m doing (just do it for fun) I thought, what the hell, why not go? That first meeting was at the Coffee Social (now closed) and met a smiling group of men and women of all ages and for once, that summer was happy! We did a bunch of writing exercises and everyone was so kind and creative. So here was all the fun, funky mix of people I was searching for! I became a regular at the group. The best thing about this group is the non judgment if you can’t make it to a meeting. I even came to a meeting once but had writers block so bad I almost pulled my eyelashes out and left early and still they were cool to me! I also got the huevos to begin a novel, and no one laughed at it, at least not to my face (thanks writing group)!

I have never been able to make it to a Ladies Who Lunch. I will though, hopefully. I do make it to most of the board meetings and I will begin going to the book club meetings now that I have a handle on grad school. I am very interested in the music and wine nights but I haven’t made it there either. But my point is though, the times I can make it, I feel like part of something important.  I am really wanting to start a craft group and I’ve heard some interest in this from others so hopefully I can fit this in with grad school and work!

But through all of this, I got the opportunity to write this weekly blog. You might have noticed last week I wasn’t blogging! That’s another great story, I spoke with an AMAZING consultant over the phone before last fall about a possible job with Andrea Estes. She spoke to me for over a hour about her experiences and opening of her new business. She didn’t have any openings for hire, but she promised to keep me in mind. Who would’ve thunk it that at one of the Violet’s planning meetings, I sit across from this cute chick and while I’m admiring her hair, I can’t help but think to myself, Andrea Estes, I KNOW that name from somewhere! Then click. She was the consultant I spoke with 8 months ago! I introduced myself and she remembered me. She even kept her word and had me work at her first local conference in Spokane! It was a huge success and so many attendees told me how wonderful she was and how great the conference was. I can’t count how many people told me Spokane needed something like this and the conference was, in fact, the best they had ever attended. I would have to agree! I’ve helped out at countless conferences and never have I seen so many smiling faces. I’m proud of her as a Violet, friend and business owner.

So that’s my Violet story. I encourage you to  check out our info sheet, check out or facebook and ask as many questions you want. You should start by either coming to one of the lunches or attending one of the groups. There is NO, I repeat NOOOOOOOOOOO age limit and we don’t care if you are a dude. We just want a community involved. Maybe I will see you there!