Changing the Universe

Mother’s Day Ideas

Apr 19th, 2012 - Posted By: Nicci / 1 Comment

With Mother’s Day just around the corner (seriously, it’s only about 4ish weeks away!) it’s time to start thinking about what to give your Mama to thank her for birthing you. If I may, I’d like to suggest a gift idea to you!

Fabric coasters!!

I know, I know. Pimping my shop again. But let me tell you WHY you should get your mom something from my shop: My mom LOVES my coasters and the first thing she said about them was “Wow! These would make FANTASTIC Mother’s Day gifts!”

And no, she didn’t just say that cause I’m her daughter and she loves everything I do. While she is my mother and is my #1 supporter (tied with Tim, obvs) she is also brutally honest. Once I gave her a jewelry dish that I made in art class. She opened it up and laughed at me and asked why in the world I gave her an ashtray. I don’t think she actually said UGLY, but I knew she meant it.

So knowing that my mom makes at least one stop a day at my shop and says all kinds of comments like “Oh, I like this set a lot” or “Maybe this would be cool in my living room!” or “I just can’t decide what to buy!” makes me think that other moms would like something like this, too!

Also, I know those are some NOT subtle hints about what she wants for Mother’s Day.

Your mom wants you to buy these for her.

Here’s what you should know: May 6th is the last day to order anything that’s currently in my shop in order to guarantee delivery in time for Mother’s Day.

Also, you can use the code MOMSROCK between now and May 6th to save 10% on your order for your mama. Or for yourself. I won’t tell your mom. Unless you are one of my siblings. Then I’m TOTALLY telling on you.

In conclusion, show your mom that you love her by buying her awesome handmade goods. Specifically from Changing the Universe – The Shop. Or another handmade shop. But mostly my shop. Or not. Your call.

Edited to add my mom’s comment:

I’m glad you were picking up on my subtle hints However, I really REALLY can’t stress enough what a fantastic gift idea these really are. And to prove it, I intend to purchase a set for my mother-in-law for this very holiday!

Seriously? I said it was an ashtray? I feel kind bad about that. Sorry!

Changing the Universe - The Shop

A Tale of a Bike

Apr 16th, 2012 - Posted By: Nicci / 9 Comments

Once upon a time there lived a lady named Nicci. Nicci really wanted a bike so she could take leisurely rides when camping or take after dinner cruises to burn off any cookies consumed for dessert. She took her old bike out of the garage, and much to her chagrin, the bike was broken. Again. It needed new tubes, tires, gears, and a chain, just like it had two years before. Instead of spending the money to fix it, she thought she’d spend the same amount and just buy a new bike.

A month before her birthday, the lovely lady sent her mother and husband photos of possible bike ideas. This was one of the possibilities:

One week later, her mother owned a bike, and she still did not.

On the eve of her birthday, her husband slaved away building that bike you see above. It took him hours and hours, but he did it and was so excited to see her reaction when she woke up on her birthday and saw a bike.

Only … the bike didn’t fit. You see, Nicci is quite a short person, so just any bike won’t work for her.

Back to the store it went, and Nicci was ever so heartbroken.

That weekend, birthday money in hand, Nicci set out on a quest for a bike that would fit. The red bullseye called her. Beckoned her to use her newly aquired Red Card to save an additonal 5%. There were rows and rows of bikes.

The first bike she tried was too big. The second bike she tried was even bigger. The third bike she tried was too small.

Never one to give up on the first try, her wonderful husband suggested trying a different location, one far away. She agreed, then asked if they could stop at another location on the way. He agreed.

They arrived at the second location and was almost halted in their quest with the appearance of 50% off Reese’s peanut butter eggs. And then. She saw it.

The most glorious teal bike she had ever seen. The retro styling reminded her of the bike she had as a young child, the bike she will eventually pass on to her son. There was a rack on the back, for what purpose she didn’t know yet, but there was a rack! And fenders! And seven speeds (because 21 is just crazy)! The only thing now, was to see if it fit. After some brief adjusting of the seat and the handlebars, success was her’s!!

After a bit of joking from the cashier (and playing along because, well, who ISN’T excited about a new bike?? Especially the first new bike she’d ever had since she was in second grade!) That very afternoon, she and her husband went toodling around the neighborhood on their bikes. And it was the greatest afternoon, ever.

THE END!

BIKES!, birthday

Things I did on my birthday

Apr 13th, 2012 - Posted By: Nicci / 10 Comments

- Got a bike.

- Cried about the bike because it was the wrong one. And it was way too big.

- Cried because I felt awful that Tim stayed up all night building me a bike that we had to try and return.

- Cried because I didn’t think WalMart would accept the return, never mind that they basically accept EVERYTHING as a return.

- Ate Chipotle with my mom. No lie, it was the most flavorful burrito I’ve ever had. I have no idea why, it was the same one I always get!

- Cried because Tim couldn’t leave work at 2:30.

- Asked Tim to get me ice cream cupcakes for my birthday treat from Coldstone Creamery.

- Told Tim not to get me ice cream cupcakes because I wanted him to come home and help me take the bike back to WalMart.

- Cried because I really wanted ice cream cupcakes.

- Returned the bike with absolutely no issues.

- Bought an Oreo ice cream cake.

- Helped Tim make a DELICIOUS dinner of beef and shrimp kabobs.

- Watched my child spew endless amount of vomit out of his mouth at the dinner table.

- Watched some of it go into Tim’s ear.

- Lost my appetite for the rest of the meal.

- Helped Tim wash a week’s worth of dishes in the bathtub because the drain pipe leading from the kitchen sink and dishwasher rusted out and we haven’t figured out the best way to fix it yet.