Keeping busy

I didn't want to just be a negative Nancy tonight, so here's a little update!

I haven't had a chance to take any more pictures to list things on Etsy, however I did sell a few things and I've made a lot! I also realized that this weekend is the first anniversary of my event planning business! It's only been a year, but I've already had two clients and several consultations, and I've started a generally successful jewelry business in that time as well! I'm very excited and very hopeful for the second year of being my own boss :)

I'm watching the third season of Toddlers and Tiaras, which I thought I would hate but I actually kind of love... there are a few episodes that I've turned off because the parents were just too much, but a lot of these kids are pretty sweet and they come back for a few episodes so it's fun to see them back. There are families who are clearly pushing their kids in to it to live vicariously, but I've also seen a lot of families say (after a particularly heinous breakdown) that it's time to take a break and see if this is something their kid really wants to do. Considering it costs upwards of $30k/yr... that's probably a good decision!

We're done with full day camps at work for now, which is nice, it means my brain can stop worrying 11 hours a day! Of course, now I have to plan spring break and do promotional materials for summer camp, but I'm not very motivated on that... I have to remind myself that I have to stand up to my own standards and not drop the ball just because I may not be there much longer!

Anyways, I'm off to bed-- Violet's birthday is tomorrow, she's turning 3!! They're doing a big party at one of those silly jumping places, but I'll get to see her and play with her and definitely get a picture of her in the birthday outfit I picked for her! Can't believe my girl has gotten so big!!

Friend? Really?

Since when do you have to be rude to express your opinion? I know I have my little rants, but if I'm speaking directly to someone I try my best to be even keeled and present my side logically because that's how I was raised. Nobody wants to listen to someone belittling the other party or screaming their opinion. If someone has already admitted that they may not have had as solid a grasp on a subject as they originally thought, don't berate them, educate them. If someone says, "The way you are presenting this is very rude and I don't appreciate it." don't say, "Welcome to the internet, yours isn't the only opinion."

What you really mean to say is, "Welcome to the internet, where I can be rude to you because I don't have to look you in the eye."

*sigh*

Woohoo!

My old roommate Amy bought a necklace!! I'm SOOOOO excited! That means I've sold three things in a month :) I know it's not a lot, but it's something!

I've been making loads more, though I need to make myself stop with the jewelry for a minute and do some coasters and bags!! I also need to get my sewing machine set up... and for the fabric stores to carry jersey material...

Keep your fingers crossed for me, I have a lot more to put up and I think this thing might really be getting ready to work out!

Beebop A Reebop Rhubarb Pie!

This week has been... draining. There's a lot of really ridiculous stuff going on at work and a lot of us are seriously worried about our jobs, so I'm in the process of trying to feel out all my options AND get the business stuff off the ground so that I can potentially make that at least a feasible carry-over option. Clearly, I would very much like to make running my business my first option but I doubt that will happen for another year or so!

So, if you know anyone who wants some jewelry made or little gifts or some sewing or some tutoring... just send them my way!

Jeremy ran a half marathon this week at the Sweetwater State Park and had a great time-- it was hard, and it was below freezing and snowing a little the whole time, but he loved it. They're doing a 50k in April that he's looking at as a way to build up to the 50 mile run Mark wants to do with him in Arkansas this winter!

Porbably there will be a better update later, but for now I'm going to go work on making some jewelry, watch a movie with Jeremy ("The Phantom"-- SO much awesome!) and have a little dinner!

Dear Parents

I'm so tired this year of listening to parents either swear up and down their child couldn't be evil or swear up and down their child is evil.

Public Service Announcement: Children are sociopaths. They grow out of it. Be a decent parent and admit that they might just not like you; it's part of parenthood. Eventually, they grow out of it, or grow in to different phases. This is also normal. Also, none of this behaviour is particular to any type of child-- "Oh, but my child has one/two/eight siblings!" Guess what-- they're still a little sociopath.

I may not BE a parent, but I have godkids and I care for over 100 children every day of the week and have studied child development.

They KNOW lying is bad, but they're gonna try until it doesn't work anymore.

They KNOW they're sucking up, but they're gonna try until it doesn't work anymore.

And if the people you surround yourself with are decent people, it will stop working. I have kids suck up to me every damn day, but when they do something mean or wrong, I call them to the mat for it. Now, instead of attempting to ingratiate they're just nice and respectful.

/minirant

Seriously.

I know this sounds mean, but good grief I see this every day. I am a child care PROFESSIONAL. I also guarantee you that if you look around, you'll find children are behaving 75% of the time-- any combination of church, school, home, and outside care (after school, Sunday school, babysitters, etc.) as long as you leave one of those out. Most often, they misbehave at home.

/butreallyimdone