Hi Kevin

 

Here in SA we now pay R6.00 (about $37) per liter of fuel and sales have been down dramatically since January. My craft shops are experiencing the lowest sales ever. We can only hope for improvement.

Sue

 

 

Kevin

 

That just shows you how our fuel price has increased since 2005! It went up to R6.00 p/l last night and at today's exchange rate of $6 to the Rand it is $36 a liter. Luckily my consumption is up to 30 km/l if I use my motorcycle; better than the 8 km/l of my car!

 

My pattern sales are o.k, I did not have many new ones in the latest WTB catalog, but have more than 40 new patterns in the one coming out in July. If I do not substitute my scroll related income with other craft sales, I would not be able to make ends meet. It's a tough industry to be in.

 

Btw, I came across an angel pattern of yours the other day on a free PSP tubes site, wondered if it was there with your permission?

 

Sue

I havent tried any sales, must get organised and try one day, hard finding time to do the few projects I get done let alone finding time to make enough for a sale.

 

We are around AUS$1.40 a litre here at the moment, I sure miss my old car that used LPG, its only 55c a litre at the moment. After seeing the price of Sue's petrol I dont think I will complain as much now ... however filling up the tank would sure increase the value of my car

 

Brett

O.K. so nobody took the bait  There have been complaints about the group being quiet, I think this proves that most people are here for the free patterns and not to participate in discussions. The correct conversion is R6 to one dollar, so we do in fact pay $1 per liter.

Kevin, you were on to me right away! I guess I have a wicked sense of humour.

Sue  

Well Sue,

YA got me!  Hehehehehe.  I never thought to look up the exchange rate.  You had me wondering how people survived.  Even 8 km/L would be better than what I get I get about 5km/L.  I do have a motorcycle as well but my daily commute takes through one of the most dangerous interchanges in the US so I'm a little hesitant to use it for commuting.

Regarding my Angel Pattern, can you e-mail me privately with the site address at [email protected].  I posted an Angel pattern here in response to a request but that's it.

 

Kevin

OK, Sue.....I won't complain about gas prices anymore. :-)  I filled up last night and the price was 2.699 USD per US liquid gallon   With the conversion of 3.7854118 liter per US liquid gallon, and the median conversion rate of 6.04606 Rand to the US dollar, that works out to be 4.311 Rand per liter.  It just takes time for me to do the math.  LOL

 

BTW - enjoy you articles that you have been doing for all the magazines.  You are quite famous now.  Congratulations.

 

Did you put peanut butter icing on Dollie's banana cake?

 

Rancher Jerry

I don't think it's a lack of interest or just the patterns that you can grab for free here that are keeping people from posting. It's the springtime weather. Let's face it, when you can plant and paint and walk around in a tee shirt and shorts, you're going to.  :) I know I have a hard time getting everything done and still post, or for that matter, even READ all the posts on here. I don't post very often, but I, for one, didn't join for the free patterns. I joined because of the information and yes, Gary was a major reason. I had just read his book and was fascinated by what he could do with a scrollsaw. I wish I had his artistic eye, but I usually don't have any problems with what I do, just not as detailed. I think I have actually downloaded three patterns from this site, but haven't commented on them because I haven't had a chance to cut them yet, but I am, hopefully, going to get to them soon.

Just my two cents worth. Enjoy the spring!

Leonard

OK Sue,

 It's not nice to try to fool us.

Didn't even think to try to find out what the exchange rate was, just figured that it was extreme and you must be making tons of money over there compared to here in the States. LOL

 

Tom

Hi guys and Christine,

 

Sorry, I couldn't resist. The value of a unit of money is relative only according to the income levels, cost of living etc. of a country anyway. So it's difficult to simply convert it and say it's cheap or expensive, but it is the most we have ever paid for fuel. You can buy a 2 liter of coke for the same price as a liter of fuel here.

 

Jerry sent me his mother's famous banana cake recipe a few years ago and I'd like you all to know that it is the best banana cake ever. I make it regularly and yes, Jerry, I always put peanut butter icing on it.   I bet you are going to get requests for the recipe now - better scan it so you can send out copies. Maybe you can charge for it...could help you afford that next tank of fuel?

 

I know this has been completely off topic, so I apologise. Hope you all have a great springtime, we are in Autumn and feeling it.

 

Happy dust making

Sue 

Speaking of bananas, this just came in my email:

 

Important Info About Bananas

After Reading THIS, you'll NEVER look at a banana in the same way again!

Bananas Contain three natural sugars -  sucrose, fructose and glucose -
combined with fiber, a banana  gives an instant, sustained and substantial
boost of energy.  Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough
energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout.   No wonder the banana is the
number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.   But energy isn't the
only way a banana can help us keep fit.  It can also help overcome or
prevent a substantial number of illnesses and  conditions, making it a must
to add to our daily diet.

Depression:
According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst  people suffering
from depression, many felt much better after  eating a banana.   This is
because bananas contain tryptophan, a  type of protein that the body
converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and
generally make you feel  happier.

PMS:
Forget the pills -- eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates
blood glucose levels, which  can affect your mood.

Anemia :
High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the
blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure:
This unique tropical  fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt,
making it the perfect way to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food
and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry! to  make
official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood
pressure and stroke.

Brain Power:
200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their
exams  this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a  bid
to boost their brain power.  Research has shown that the potassium-packed
fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation:
High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel
action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers:
One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to  make a banana
milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the
help of the honey, builds up depleted blood  sugar levels, while the milk
soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn:
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from
heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness:
Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and
avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites:
Before  reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected  area
with the inside of a banana skin.  Many people find it amazingly successful
at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves:
Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the  nervous system.

Overweight and at work?
Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work
leads  to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at
5,000 hospital patients,  researchers found the most obese were more likely
to be in high-pressure jobs.  The  report concluded that, to avoid
panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood  sugar levels by
snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers:
The banana is used as the  dietary food against intestinal disorders
because of its soft  texture and smoothness.  I! t is the only raw fruit
that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases.  It also
neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of
the stomach.

Temperature control:
Many other cultures see  bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both
the physical  and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand,
for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is  born with
a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):
Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain ! the  natural mood
enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking:
Bananas can also  help people trying to give up smoking.  The B6, B12 they
contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the
body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress:
Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends
oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance.  When we are
stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels.
These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium! banana snack.

Strokes:
According to research in "The New  England Journal of Medicine," eating
bananas as part of a  regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by
as much as 40%!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills.  When you compare it
to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three
times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the
other vitamins and minerals.  It is also rich in potassium and is one of
the best value foods around. So maybe its time to change that well-known
phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

Bananas are in short supply here at the moment, and if you can get them, they are expensive. Had a big cyclone up north recently that wiped out the main banana growing areas.

 

Brett