random bits of ranting...

I realized today that it had been a week since I last posted.  Wow, a week.  Let's see - so the jumpers we're received by Lindsey and she seems very happy with them, I am excited to hear what her friend thinks when she gets them as a gift next month.

I finished my newest nursery piece, but it won't be delivered until tomorrow so I will share that later this week.

I am starting my first piece of furniture, I mean it's started, but I am really getting into the nitty gritty now that I am finished with my nursery piece.  I'm very excited about this project.

It seems silly, but my days have been pretty filled, but nothing tremendously exciting filling them.  We're in spring break right now, I am sad because I wish we were in Ft. Lauderdale like we were last year. 

This yo-yo weather is almost too much for me - I'm dragging, tired and just wishing I could crawl back into bed and sleep this cold, blustery weather away.  When did we lose spring?  I figure it will be in the 80's in the next month, not giving us or nature a chance to adjust.  I never realized how much the weather or environment effected me or my family.  Drew especially, he's such an outdoor kid, loves it and when he can't be outside it leaves the rest of us wishing he was outside.  ;o)

I am surprised and impressed by the inquires on my jumpers.  I didn't realize people would like them or like them enough to want one.  I was lucky enough to spend a day with Leslie last week - we found some awesome fabric to make a swing top for Merdi and I found some awesome fabric for Penny - I'm not sure what I'll do with it, but I'll figure that out later.  I also realized that Easter is this weekend and I need to get cracking on Penny's dress - I have the fabric out, just nothing done with or to it at this point.  I know what I want to do, I just need to sit down and do it.  

That leads me to something I am terrible at: pricing.  If you own your own business or sell something that you do handmade you might be able to relate.  I am my worst critic and I under value my wares terribly.  I am trying to get better at this and be realistic about the time I spend and the effort that it takes.  I mean sure you can go to Target and get a dress for 9.99$.  It will be cute, but not unique.  When you want unique, sometimes you need to pay for it.  I am a one woman operation, I do it all myself, including the pattern.  When someone doesn't sew or paint or whatever, they either have a ton of appreciation for the skill and time involved or they do not.  I haven't had much opposition for my pricing, but its something that has been eating at me a bit.  I guess my point is that I don't over charge for my labor or skill.  I generally only charge about $10 an hour, which is what I made at the Gap doing retail - I don't think that is asking too much, do you?

I'm a bit frustrated with the economy right now - sure we've been touched, Ryan lost his job last year.  We were lucky that he found a new job and he makes a good living, but what makes me laugh is when you hear government workers complaining about no raises or private employees complaining about no bonus'.  WTH? Ryan didn't get a bonus, Ryan didn't get a raise, hell we're happy he has a job!  I just don't get why people can't keep that in perspective.  And the government pumping money into the banking industry, encouraging them to lend, well I will tell you first hand they aren't.  Ryan and I did quite a few renovations at our last house, we did it in a fairly traditional way, we had a line of credit, we'd use it, pay it back, use it again for home improvement, because lets be honest, not everyone has tons of money sitting around.  So now we're in our new house and we want to do our kitchen, I mean it's a great time, retailers are dropping their prices on appliances and cabinets and such.  The deals couldn't be better, but we'd like to take a line of credit out to do that work.  I'll tell you what - we've got very little debt, we've got great credit scores, but the banks have made their limits so ridiculous that if you haven't lived in your home for 10 years you aren't going to meet their qualifications with regards to equity.  To me, that seems ridiculous - no wonder the economy is in a tail spin.  It makes me wonder what the banks are doing with that money and why our government in all the regulations that they love to administer to every aspect of our lives aren't labeling that money for lending purposes ONLY!!! I don't get it, but what I do get is that I am frustrated and that just plain stinks.

I have to admit this post has become a bit of a rant, so I'm going to go with it, I'm in a stinky mood today. 

I don't like twitter, I don't. I love my friends, I love hearing about their life, I don't need the details of it every hour.   I mean, I've got some cool friends, but lets be honest NONE of our lives are that interesting.  Hell even the stars lives aren't THAT interesting.  Call me old fashioned, but I'd rather talk on the phone or write a letter to get the low-down, not see twenty-seven tweets on Facebook about nonsense.

I am conflicted because I am doing a bible study with two girlfriends.  I am so happy to be doing it with them, but I am more confused and frustrated than ever.  I'm not happy with the workbook I am doing.  I mean when I first started doing bible studies I was confused and a bit of a lost sheep.  As I matured in my walk, I found deeper meaning in my studies, like they were specifically meant for me.  I don't know, other than developing a new and deeper relationship with my girlfriends, this study is leaving me unsettled, dissatisfied and confused.  I continue to pray for movement and guidance because I want this study to move me.

On a sad note, one of my clients lost her child a week and a half ago.  I had done a painting for Robyn to tribute the loss of her twins and then did a nursery painting for her daughter to be, Rowyn.  Rowyn had a difficult delivery because the placenta detached and Rowyn was left without oxygen.  She was born with minimal brain activity, but she fought and lived and went home.  A week and a half ago she left this life and joined her sisters in heaven.  I find no words of solace to offer the Nix family other than I am so, so sorry.  It is moments like this that move you in ways you can not dream.  I am saddened so deeply by this loss.  

Okay, I think I've sufficiently alienated and darkened everyone and every ones mood so I'll stop now.  I promise Debbie Downer will be gone next time and happy pickles will be back with more work to show off - until then Thanks!