Sunday, April 22, 2007

Relay for Life just about killed me

The plan was-

Mark was going to go run the coffee booth at Relay for Life. The XI IO OMEGA gals were going to help him. I was going to go home, because I had been at the coffee shop since 9 yesterday morning.

What really happened-I went to help Mark set up. And stayed. And we worked our asses off. We sold espressos, lattes, coffee and cookies until we ran out of espresso beans, then we left the brew coffee and airpots with the sorority ladies. Five minutes after I walked in the door this morning, my alarm went off (at 4:48) to get up.

The entire team goal was 1200.00, and I think we added about 25% more to the totals. Plain coffee was 1.50 a cup and lattes were 2.50, so that cash was hard earned. Based on cup and milk consumption, we had record sales in a high school concession stand. I am absolutely certain that Mark could not have handled it by himself. It would go in spurts-coffee, latte, coffee, coffee, COFFEE, latte latte LATTE, steamer.

There will always be one person that you want to drown in the dish sink. For some reason, there are people who think it's a good idea to stand in a coffee bar and proclain that they would rather eat dirt than drink coffee. One woman was loudly sulking because we didn't bring hot chocolate syrup (we brought our top sellers, vanilla and caramel.) I thought I would would be diplomatic, and spooned up a little leftover vanilla steamer for her to taste. She acted like I was trying to serve her rat asses on toast and refused to even try a coffee-less vanilla drink. I wanted to cue up the violin solo from Psycho right then! Reet, reet, reet! Don't screw with me at 2:30 in the morning, or I will stab you with a plastic spoon!

The Kiri? I should have given it to my best aunt. I think Kiri raised a whopping 10.00. It all adds up, but I think next year, I'll skip anything that's not a quilt. Not a good use of time. I hope to see my gorgeous Kiri kerchief on someone, somewhere, someday.

If you are a team mom, club sponsor, or teacher that ends up helping the Widget Club, I salute you. It's hard to sell a significant amount of anything at a concession stand. Bravo!

11 comments:

Enid said...

LMAO REEtrEeT ReET!! too funny.

Sound like y'all did well, aside from being tired it's a great thing you did. KUddos to you.

Joan said...

I am heartbroken about your Kiri. Lace is under-appreciated by the unwashed masses. So sorry, bets. (But bravo on all that coffee!)

Having a Knit Fitt said...

Oh, Bets! That totally sucks about the Kiri! And you must be completely exhausted. (but you are a very good citizen)
Cate

Les said...

Boo, hiss, to the silent auction bidders and the coffee purchasers who want the only thing you don't have! I've done many a concession for tournaments over the years. Always seem to open my yap at the wrong time and end up organizing it! Always many more hours than you think! So, I hear ya!!
Good going to you and Mark for helping out the cause!

junior_goddess said...

Well, Les, you know how it is-if you bring hot dogs, they want chili, and vice versa. And they want it for .50, with double cheese and a tiara at no extra charge. Whatever event there is, that person is ALWAYS there, but never volunteers.

Benne noticed the same price phenomenon with scarves she made for a charity event in her area-I think that so many grandmas in rural areas make football field sized afghans out of RHSS that it makes our stuff too common and not worthy of any $$$. Between the two balls of Pharao and beads, I just barely covered costs.

Ok- no more knitting for YOU!

Gryffinitter said...

Eh, bets, it is hard to see that happen, but Kiri has made her way out into the world and you never know what will happen. My whole attitude towards knitting changed when I found a piece of lace, probably intended as a table scarf, knitted out of sewing thread and sulking on a rummage sale table. Kiri may be out there inspiring someone to knit lace one of these days - yuh nevuh no....

But concession stands I HAVE worked - and that had brutal moments, even when it was only a few hours, and pretty much just cleaning up after half-time! But you did a good thing, Bets! Be proud!

Suzann said...

I worked the concession stand when dd was in Marching Band. I expect to go right to heaven for that. No matter what you bring, it isn't what someone wants. Usually the loud ones

My Mom, made hand quilted tree skirts for church and they couldn't even get 10 bucks for them. As for lace, you find gobs of tatting and bobbin lace in second hand shops. Textiles see to have no value in the outer world.
I am sorry about Kiri, she was a beauty. I how whoever got her loves her

smariek said...

So sorry to hear about the Kiri. I don't think knitting gets appreciated by non-knitters.

LisaW. said...

Just say no...ratz about the kiri...i guess it all depends on the target audience......seriously! that would be enough to put me off big time. Next time just donate a gift certificate for a coffee card or sumpin....people just have no appreciation for fine arts sometimes.
But on the other hand...those folks needing caffein at 2am sure appreciated you...as did the folks organizing the event....and the service recipients...so there! just keep payin the karma forward....

LisaW. said...

ok so you wanno know exactly how dorky i am...i read eleven ten omega girls....and about 3 minutes after the last post the lightbulb went off connecting "sorority girls with something chi omega...." sigh. deputy mayor of dorkville checking out.

junior_goddess said...

PHHSHSS! I am shamefacedly kicking my toe because I spelled the sorority name wrong...and I just joined (philanthropic bunch).

Ooops-, it should be Xi Omega Iota.