Monday, April 30, 2012

Monday Frustrations

I am so frustrated right now. I started off my day waking up early to make sure that I would be able to have enough time to get some things done without stressing out before we have friends come over tonight. Instead, I've been super frustrated all morning. Here's why...

I had to call one of my student loan companies. They denied a request and instead of sending me paperwork to get approved for another request, they assume that since I'm not working that we would qualify for "special assistance." Um, no. Once you factor in my husband's salary, we are not going to qualify. I know this, but despite me telling you this multiple times, you decide to try to get me to check it out and use the calculator. Plus, since you go by last year's taxes, I really wouldn't qualify because I was employed then. The truth is, right not we just can't afford the super high payment you are asking for until my car is paid off this fall. That's all. And no, we're not poor.

I was told that we would only have to pay our yearly deductible for my husband's emergency room visit in January and nothing more. Too bad, they didn't mean the doctor's bill as well, which I just paid. I just wish they would have told me upfront so I didn't have to waste my time calling them.

Then I called to try to get an early appointment to my doctor. I have one scheduled for next Monday and was trying to get in this week so my husband wouldn't have to take off early two days next week. Nope, no openings. Oh, and they offered for me to reschedule for next Thursday. Um, I think you're missing the point here.

I'm not sure what's going on, but this is a common thing for me to deal with. People must not understand me very well or I don't know what is going on. I'm very clear and get the most annoying answers ever. It's like they purposely go out of their way to do the opposite of what I'm saying.

Please tell me I'm not the only one who deals with this.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Finding Balance

Sometimes I feel like I'm playing a balancing act. Between running my business and taking care of our home I feel like I'm constantly behind. If I get enough sewing done, then the apartment is a mess. It's a constant struggle as to what to get done when and what can wait. I thought it would get easier with me staying at home, but now that I'm sewing more, it's not.

I can say that I am super thankful for my husband. He has an hour and a half commute each way to work and he works about nine hours a day. He's up at 3:40am and doesn't get home until 5:30pm. It's a long day for him, but he never complains. He is also so great in helping around the house when he gets home. When I'm busy sewing, he's doing the dishes, laundry, or picking up. He's amazing. Which is why I have been catering to his dinner preferences lately.

Cooking dinner is one thing I really try not to slack on. Yes, my husband would eat canned soup or whatever for dinner, but I really feel like this is something that I can do for him even if I didn't pick up during the day. Most of the time he lets me pick what's for dinner, but this past week he's asked for beef stroganoff and lasagna in the same week.

We had beef stroganoff Monday night, spaghetti last night, and he wants lasagna tonight. Seriously? Pasta three times this week? Oh my gosh. And, he told me that he likes to eat cup of noodles at work if we don't have leftovers. Wow. At least I like to buy brown rice pasta.

I have a feeling that next week I will be balancing our dinners a little better without so much pasta, but for this week...pasta it is.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012


This week I'm saying So What if...
  • I've gotten three job/interview offers in the past two months and I turn them down each time. I like being at home and I don't know if right now is the time I'm supposed to go back to work.
  • I stayed up until almost 5am finishing up the last book of The Hunger Games series. It was a great book and I wanted to finish it!
  • I was not happy that the man upstairs was so loud that he woke me up. Did I mention that I stayed up late yesterday so I was hoping to sleep in today?
  • My apartment is in need of a little TLC. I've been busy getting ready for the show and making some custom orders.
  • I still love watching cheesy Disney movies.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Saving Money Saturdays


I haven't done one of these posts in a while because I've been either really busy or needing some extra down time.

This week's saving money tip is for those of you who are brave and have trusting men!

My husband and I save between $170-$260 by having me cut his hair at home. Hair cuts were costing us $20 every 4-6 weeks and that was way too much to be spending on something that I could do at home. So, we bought a clipper set about two years ago so that I could start cutting his hair at home.

Now before you freak out, it's really not that difficult. I know what size he likes for the short part of his hair and we just experimented on the top going from the larger sizes to the smaller sizes until we found one he liked. I taper the hair on the sides and back and use the clippers {with different attachments} to do his whole head. It takes about 15-20 minutes and we're done!

And the best part is that no one can tell it was done at home and it saves us a ton of money each year!

So, if you're brave enough and your husband trusts you, give it a try. And if you're super nervous about it, watch a youtube video on how to do it and take your time. Remember, it's only hair and it will grow back. I've never made a huge mistake, but my husband knows that there's always a "risk" involved.


Wednesday, April 18, 2012


This week I'm saying So What if...
  • My husband has been doing all of the housework. I have a show coming up and I don't have the inventory yet to not be sewing for two weeks before each show.
  • I need a little space from family sometimes. Yes, they are super helpful and awesome, but sometimes they can be a little too helpful.
  • I'm afraid to eat pizza since I stopped eating fast food almost two months ago. Last time I didn't eat if for three weeks I got really sick and I'm not up for that again.
  • I'm at the fabric store 2-3 times a week now. They keep having good sales and I run out of things I need.
  • I haven't been eating breakfast, lunch, or dinner until it's super late. I've been so busy and don't realize what time it is until I take a break.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Sometimes and Always #6



Sometimes... I plan dinner last minute when friends come over.
Always... I come up with something good and they love it!

Sometimes... I go to the fabric store more than I do the grocery store.
Always... I find either what I was looking for or something pretty.

Sometimes... I still get upset when people expect me to get a job.
Always... I love being at home and know that this is where God wants me.

Sometimes... I get stressed about little things.
Always... My husband is amazing and helps me get through.


Friday, April 13, 2012

Friday Letters

Photobucket 

Dear Allstate... Thank you for getting my claim done so quickly. I can't wait to go get the diamond in my engagement ring replaced next week! I am also happy that I was able to talk to a different adjuster who made it possible to go through my jeweler, not some place that never called me back.

Dear One Tree Hill... I just started watching you on Netflix a few weeks ago and I have to say that it has provided me with so much entertainment. I can't wait for the final season to get on Netflix so that when I'm finished with these, I can watch it.

Dear Mom... I am so happy you called me back last night, but I couldn't pick up the phone because it was time for bed and I had to be up super early to take Phil to work. I realize you live on the West Coast, but the three hour time difference does exist and when you are done with dinner, I'm going to bed. I love you anyways and will call you today.

Dear Brother 1034d Serger... you are the newest and most awesome addition to my sewing room. I got you yesterday and breezed through threading and making some new products. You are amazing and it was a great purchase.


Wednesday, April 11, 2012

So What Wednesday

I'm linking up with Shannon for So What Wednesday!

This week, I'm saying So What if...
  •  I get interested in books/movies/shows way after everyone else. Yes, I just jumped into the Hunger Games trilogy and I love it!
  • I've been way too tired to get anyting big done. My allergies have kicked in and I feel like crap.
  • I used the term "jerkoff" on the phone with my mother-in-law last night. I told my husband and started laughing so hard.
  • I haven't been blogging as regularly. Sometimes I just need a break for a bit so I took it.
  • Our apartment is still in "reorganize mode." Yes, that means there's a lot left to do and with my craft show coming up, it will take longer than necessary.


Monday, April 9, 2012

I love organizing. Seriously, I do. But, it comes to a point where it can be completely overwhelming. Take our apartment. It has two bedrooms, one bath, a small, cube of a kitchen, and an open living/dining room. It's not huge, but not too small either. It has a lot of closets {which I make sure to use for all of my storage and stocking up}.

Our apartment has been transformed many times. The living room has been rearranged three times and the guest room is on it's fourth turn. We still call it the guest room, but it's now used exclusively as my sewing room.

Reorganization is not easy. It involves moving furniture and a lot of organization...organization that has been desperately needed.

This time around we are completely changing around the guest sewing room. Nothing is the same and get this...my husband actually told me that he wanted me to buy a sewing table! Seriously, he let me find what I wanted and we actually bought it! It has made such a huge difference and I can't wait to show you once the room is finished.

Here's the table we bought...
Thomasville Beau Monde® Desk
(target.com)

It's technically a "writing desk", but was exactly what I was looking for. It has plenty of space for my machine and a drawer to put some of my sewing essentials in.

I'm definitely looking forward to finishing it all up. Hopefully that will be soon.


Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Sometimes and Always #5


Sometimes... I get frustrated and act like a brat.
Always... My husband loves me and makes me feel better.

Sometimes... I crave a Big Mac at McDonalds.
Always... I decide not to eat the yummy goodness since I gave it up!

Sometimes... I get overwhelmed by everything going on.
Always... I pray about it and know that God has a better plan.

Sometimes... I'm happy that plans change.
Always... I know that it's for the best. Either I get more rest or have a great time!

Sometimes... I try out a new recipe.
Always... My husband loves it and wants me to make it again!

Monday, April 2, 2012

Why I Left My Job

This post is about something I've been struggling with for a while now.

As we all know, I used to teach. In fact, I taught at the school associated with the church that we were going to. In fact, my in-laws are the longest standing members of that church to this day.

The 2010-2011 school year was my first year teaching. It had it's ups and downs, but I loved it. I taught 6th, 7th, and 10th grade English at a small, Christian school. I was offered to teach again the following school year and readily accepted. This year I taught 6th-8th grade English and 11th grade American Literature. Again, I loved teaching, but there were definitely more struggles this year.

There were some new students that decided to team up against me and the administration decided to side with them. There were many hurtful things said about me that were untrue. After months of repeated attacks, I decided to leave my position.

It has been over a month and I wish I could say that I was happy about how everything happened. The unfortunate news is that because of what happened with the school, my husband and I are no longer attending that church.

The way it went down was horrible and since the administration is actively involved in the church, my husband and I no longer felt comfortable going there. In fact, I've been having a hard time finding a church where I feel comfortable at.

The truth is that I've been more hurt by people in the churches I've been involved in more than anywhere else. I wish I felt differenly, but it hurts. I so desperately want to get involved and find a church body that I trust and can feel comfortable with, but I haven't found one since I moved here.

I still love and trust God and know that every church has people who aren't perfect. I'm not looking for perfect. I'm looking for some place that I feel won't turn on me or my family whenever they choose. I want to be somewhere that lifts me up and doesn't bring me down.

I know it will take time to heal completely and during that time my husband and I are praying to find the right home church. I know it's out there and that this was a blessing (in disguise), but sometimes it still hurts.