Can I just gripe here? Please? [Archive] - AmityMama.com

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freespiritmom
01-04-2006, 02:36 AM
What else is going to go wrong. My head started spinning 2 weeks before Christmas and it hasn't stopped!

I made a bunch of candleholders (some for orders and some for extras to have in stock) and didn't realize that I used discolored wire until I was outside taking pics of them. The wire is black in some places and grey in others. Inside, under the dinning room light, the wire looked normal. I wanted to sit in the grass and cry when I saw the finished pieces outside. All that time wasted plus having to email and pm moms to let them know that their orders would be further delayed because I'm a dumbass who didn't notice that my wire was wonky.

THEN i try to speed up the production of my wee furniture pieces for orders so I didn't let the wood dry out as long as I normally do. I try to use fallen limbs when possible but sometimes I can't find the right size so I have to cut a green limb. I've been keeping the green limbs by the wood stove for quicker drying but it's been uncommonly warm here this time of year so we've gone days without building a fire. I didn't take this into account when I crafted a bunch of mini furniture pieces for orders. All but one piece cracked. :vent: I had to go out last weekend and search for dry limbs (no time to dry myself) that were the proper size and type of wood (sometimes feels like looking for a needle in a haystack).

My migraines are back. I called the doctor for a prescription since I'm out of darvocet and that often doesn't do the job anyway. He called in Tylenol 3 which works okay if I take it soon enough but it makes me loopy. If I take it then I'm tired and can't even force myself to craft. I don't want to do anything productive. If I don't take it soon enough then the migraine sends me to bed and I have to take a Vicodin. I can't take Vicodin and function like a human. It requires that someone else be here to help take care of the boys. . I have a history of migraines which are often brought on my lack of sleep and added stress. At this rate the migraines should disappear sometime this summer.

Then toss in all the added stress because I'm SO late getting a few orders and holiday trades shipped. I have a total of 5 packages that should have gone out before Christmas. Two of my candleholder orders (actually trades) have been waiting for weeks. I didn't have the right beads and my supplier was out of stock on the colors I needed and didn't restock until the week before Christmas. I get the beads in, complete the sconces and THEN see that I used ugly wire :(

A member here shared my gallery link with a friend months ago who emailed me with an order 2 weeks before Christmas. She had been saving up for some of my creations. I first told her I could probably ship in time to get the package there before Christmas. (she had told me up front that shipping before Christmas was not necessary). Then I had to tell her that I couldn't ship until the week after Christmas since I had taken on too much. I didn't ship on Friday as I had planned because the candleholders and furniture were screwed up and I ... well.. I just lost it. I shut down. I all but told myself I would never craft again and was ready to build a bonfire with all my supplies and dance around it like a freakin' idiot in the front yard (like the neighbors need more proof that I'm nuts)

Gage broke his clavicle shortly before Christmas. My computer crashed and we had to have a tech come out to fix it because I just wasn't mentally and emotionally capable of handling another phone conversation with a Dell tech. I don't mind my call being routed to every 3rd world country on the planet but at least let me talk to someone who can speak english well enough that the majority of my statements don't have to be. "I didn't understand you.", "Can you repeat that again.", and, "I'm sorry but I still can't understand you." :vent:

So I sat down tonight and emailed/pm'd all of the moms that are expecting packages from me and feel about 12 inches shorter than before I started. I *HATE* this part of being a wahm. I hate it when I fall so terribly short of my own expectations. I know there are times when I expect too much from myself but D@MN! This is basically just a repeat of last December. I took on WAY too much because, afterall, I *AM* superwoman http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v108/steague6/emoticons/ohwell.gif

And let's not forget all the wonderful crafts I had planned for my own special little guys for Christmas and, because I took on too many orders and trades, didn't get to make them one single thing. Nothing. I said I would take a full week after Christmas to just craft for them. I haven't been able to do that yet and frankly I'm not in the mood. :(

My website! I hired a neighbor (software and web designer) to build it for me but he's having major problems with his exwife (child custody issues) and hasn't had time. His assistant is doing legal work for him so she can't work on it either. They keep having to put me off. I have told a ton of people that I will be open by the first of February but now I know that it's not possible.

And when Rex and I were over in the field searching for dry limbs he showed me another location that he thinks would be a great spot for our log home. It was such a beautiful spot... huge white oak trees, overlooking rolling hills and one of the ponds. I want to be over there so badly and we just keep talking and talking about it but never seem to get any closer. Rex is disappointed with me because he's waiting on me to design the houseplan and I just don't have time! He can't start on the foundation until the houseplan is finished. Those here who know how neurotic I get over little crafting projects will understand the overwhelming sensation that overcomes me when I start looking at floorplans. It's SO daunting.

And I can't stop thinking about the fact that I can't have anymore kids. What the **** is up with that!!!!??? I have 5 kids! Why am I now feeling sadness over not being able to have more? I'm the one that first wanted Rex to have the vasectomy. It's been 2 years and I've been fine with it. Now suddenly I'm resentful because he can't get me pregnant? That's it, isnt' it? I've finally fallen off the deep end.


I really could go on. Can you believe that? But I"m going to close because it's after 1 and the tylenol 3 is making my eyes cross. I had planned to craft a bit before bed but that's not going to happen. You deserve a reward if you made it this far. I know this is too **** long and it doesn't belong in this forum but I am SO hoping that someone here can relate to how I'm feeling so that I don't feel like such a loser. It's probably not the wisest post I've ever left here. I'm sure people will be flocking to order from me after reading all of this .. okay finally I type something that makes me laugh. blah!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v108/steague6/emoticons/boohoo.gif

freespiritmom
01-04-2006, 02:43 AM
wanted to add just in case anyone reads this and is truly worried about me :) I know everything is going to be fine. I'll remake all the candleholders and the furniture and get everything shipped. I'll be able to breath after that and things will start making sense again. ... right? :)

Kimmyboo
01-04-2006, 03:34 AM
PM'd you :)

Katie
01-04-2006, 05:31 AM
Um, hold on a sec while I get out MY list.....

yup, uh, I've done that.
Oop, that one too.
Check.
check.
another check.
Oh heck yeah, that one too.
36 years old and still learning the freaking hard way.
Oop, did that one.

:)

My best advice? Cut the neighbor loose. Do not mix it up with friends. Find a wahm to do your site. They're affordable, they already know what you want and well, they're mamas too....they understand!!!

I'll never forget my 1st email to Michelle (Elemental Muse); tears welling up, could barely read my typing, didn't know if my irl friend would forgive me for firing her dh. Michelle responded almost immediately, all professional with a very short time line and signed off with a ((hug)) I about fell apart.

(((Hugs))) Sherrie. :heart:

Katie

Dehydrate your wood like food, in the oven. :) Just don't leave the house.

lupineperriwink
01-04-2006, 08:00 AM
This is how we feel about you :hbeat:

We all understand how things can mount up on ous so you popsted in the right place. We know we are "crazy" crafters. Poor Lily doesn't have the doll I was supposed to make her for Christmas because I was busy with trades and orders.

As for drying the wood, have you tried to do it in the oven on the lowest setting? I have done it before and it works just fine.

MGray
01-04-2006, 08:47 AM
(hugs Sherrie) We have all been there too.


Umm, last night I had to speak at our homeschool meeting. The topic was 'taking time for yourself' The first thing I did was get up there and admit that I haven't had a moment to myself in months and I was a frazzled wreck. And I was supposed to talk about pampering yourself and taking time for yourself! Its a very hard time of year for us moms - we want to do it all and have everthing special and wonderful for Christmas/holidays.

It will all be okay - eventually.

TraceyH
01-04-2006, 09:27 AM
So sorry you are having a rough time. My MIL always says "This too shall pass" and of course, she is right. I always think that getting it all out to someone (even if it is just my journal) is the first step to recovering from whatever the fallout is!! Saying a prayer for you to see clearly!!

(((HUGS)))

mom2kbeth
01-04-2006, 10:13 AM
hugs sherrie. i'm sorry everything is so stressful for you :( it always seems that stresses pile up at the holidays! you shou def cut loose the person doing your site. michelle from dove's design is fantastic, as are a lot of the wahms out there doing web design.that will be at least one stress over with. why not sell the candleholders as instock with the description that they have black/gray wire? i'msure people will still buy them. you can always list them as seconds.

mcmrymoon
01-04-2006, 11:08 AM
hugs sherrie! i hope getting it out helped alot - it always does for me! it has a way of getting rid of some stagnant energy and allowing the moving energies in!!!

you are blessed with a wonderful crafting talent. everyone will understand and things will be okay!

lemonsong
01-04-2006, 11:18 AM
I just wanted to give you a :hug: You're always so sweet and supportive of everyone here. I know you said you overcommitted but I think it's also an issue of over demand! I know when you posted those candle holders a while back I *DROOLED* even showed my mother to try to get her to buy me one! LOL You just have too many people that want your stuff. :D

I hope writing it out made you feel better. You make such amazing stuff I can't even imagine how long it takes. One more :hug:

Mamaselena
01-04-2006, 11:22 AM
hugs sherrie. i'm sorry everything is so stressful for you :( it always seems that stresses pile up at the holidays! you shou def cut loose the person doing your site. michelle from dove's design is fantastic, as are a lot of the wahms out there doing web design.that will be at least one stress over with. why not sell the candleholders as instock with the description that they have black/gray wire? i'msure people will still buy them. you can always list them as seconds.

ditto... I know people like me rarely dust so wire that is all funky would be fine with me ;)

I can put together a simple website for you. I don't know how to do shopping carts but I can do paypal buttons like I have on my site. I use a program called cutesite bulder and its super easy once you learn the ropes. Its a $60 program and if you would like, we can swap more tables and chairs for my houses and stuff (I need them shorter-a little bigger than the smalls ets from treeblocks, I can send you a sample if you would like) and I can do your site to begin with, then you can buy the program and do it all yourself :) it's SO easy and gives you SO much more freedom than working with something... and if you screw up, no one to "let down" but yourself ;) and if you have to fire yourself, its easier ;) And if you want me to do your website, I can have one up this afternoon for you ;) seriously, and I am in no hurry for the furniture...

and, hell, sell the cracked wood ones as seconds... they are just more rustic, eh? ;)

((hugs)) hang in there, babe... life happens sometimes.. I understand what you mean... last year, a credit card from my past ruined my Christmas... I had planned on actually taking the holidays off and just enjoying crafting for my kids. And I ended up working through the end of December, to get it all taken care of.... this year.. Jeff lost his job, lol... it's always something ;)

((hugs)) you can come out of this, you have us to help, and us to vent to,k?
and, like Katie, I was checking off the list and saying, "yep, been there, done that" also...

Daisy
01-04-2006, 11:33 AM
Awww.....mama! You are such a terrific person! I am sorry things are so crazy right now. I agree you should sell the wacky wire candleholders, some of us wacky moms might really like them!!! :)

Just wanted to give you a cyber ((hug)) and let you know that I always enjoy working with you and you are super talented! :hug:

PolkaDot
01-04-2006, 12:01 PM
Awwwwww.. Sherrie..I don't know how many times I have started that bon fire;)

I have actually decided to step back a bit from my crafting for profit and do it more for fun now. As it was what I needed to do. It was getting too me and was not as fun anymore. I still do small events though. Kinda finding a happy medium I guess..LOL.

Hope you feel better soon. Migraines are so horrid:( Everything will be better before you know it! Promise:D

BIG HUGS FOR YOU!(((((((())))))))

lupineperriwink
01-04-2006, 12:09 PM
I really think you should do instock. Maybe something like Hyene cart. You'd sell out and have no stress at all.
And, let's see the wonky candle holders. Some of us aren't picky and have been drooling for a while now. Our poor tax return is going to take a big hit!

Mamaselena
01-04-2006, 12:30 PM
I really think you should do instock. Maybe something like Hyene cart. You'd sell out and have no stress at all.
And, let's see the wonky candle holders. Some of us aren't picky and have been drooling for a while now. Our poor tax return is going to take a big hit!

:eek: oh no... I thought your tax return was mine? :wah:

:hahaha: just kidding ;)

See, a little comic releif for Sherrie!

lupineperriwink
01-04-2006, 01:11 PM
Poor Selena...she's losing it! I wish i had loads of money to spend with you all but we are paying off some hosptal bills, etc so we can have more money for the house we are looking for. Then of course I will need to furnish the toy room so don't despair:hbeat:

Gronilot
01-04-2006, 02:06 PM
((((hugs)))) I am sorry it is all piling up now.

I agree about selling them as seconds- I am sure something glaring to you, will be unnoticable to others.

LisaC
01-04-2006, 08:22 PM
I am so sorry Sherrie!! I hate when things pile up like that.

huntersmama
01-04-2006, 09:33 PM
:sadhug: I;m so sorry things are so difficult right now

I pretty much can say I;'ve had about the same list...we are only human. WE can only do so much.

We are all here for you, adn i for one know i woudl love to see the furniture, as Selena said...makes them Rustic;)

starkl
01-04-2006, 09:50 PM
:heart: We love you Sherrie!!! :heart:

I so so so know what you're talking about. But you're a champ and you make gorgeous gorgeous things. I :bow: every time i see one of your c-n-s, it's all truly stunning.

hang in there, K? :rub:

freespiritmom
01-04-2006, 11:55 PM
Gosh I don't even know what to say. Honestly, I was apprehensive to come back to this forum. I was so emotional when I created this thread so I woke up this morning and instantly felt embarassed for sharing so much. And get this... I actually deleted some of my gripes before I hit "send". It was really getting deep at the end lol.. I was screaming about the neighbor's dogs, my sister in law, the trouble with my 15 year old son, the fact that my husband's job is ending this March because the company has been bought out....and more. I've been holding in so much but I figured I had broken a record for the longest single post at amity's and I just wasn't ready to hold that title lol. Aren't you all glad? lol

I can't tell you how much I appreciate everyone's replies. I read each post slowly... taking it all in ... and by the time I had made it to the last one my eyes were filled with tears. I don't know what it is about knowing that others can relate to our problems that makes us feel better about our lives and situations... but it really does help. I know I've got to stop being so hard on myself but more importantly I've got to come to terms with the fact that my online business will never work out for me if I don't learn to pace things and not overdo it. I want to continue to enjoy crafting and being overwhelmed with too much just sucks every ounce of enjoyment out of it. I don't want my creative time to feel like a chore. I want it to continue to feel like a blessing and to be therapeutic. I've already decided that my website *will* be instock only. I will be able to make what I want to and in the amount of time that works best for me and my family and then will just post everything in the store. I've really enjoyed creating custom orders for my customers. I've created some treasures that I might not have otherwise created and those were a lot of fun. I'm sure I'll still do some customs from time to time but I know that just doing instock on my site will really be best for me and I'm SO looking forward to it.

I didn't even think of selling the candleholders as seconds. I asked Keaton to remove the beads and the glassware from them to be used in the new candleholders so the wire is already trashed. Rex said he couldn't believe that I didn't just ship them. He said that he couldn't even tell the difference in color until I pointed it out and even then he had to really focus on it to notice. That's how I am. To me, the discoloration was major and so disappointing. There was no way I could send those to anyone. It made it worse because they were already being shipped late.. so they *really* needed to be perfect.

I really appreciate the advice about my website and thank you, Selena, for the offer to make one for me. It's a long story but I did actually hire Michelle in the beginning...over a year ago. She was wonderful.. very sweet. I just wasn't sure what I wanted and was tossing back and forth which crafts I wanted/needed to focus on. Michelle was pregnant and they were living with her inlaws so she had a lot going on and I felt really bad for taking up so much of her time. It just wasn't working out. I hired someone else who did finish a website for me. Well, it wasn't exactly finished but I could have had the small details finished up and could have used it.. but frankly I just didn't want to. When I hired her I had planned to really showcase my dolls and miniature creations and the wire art would be sort of secondary. After the site was pretty much finished I realized I had made an unwise decision. If at any point in time I need to slow things down and just focus on one particular craft then it will have to be my wire art. My profit margin with the wire art is more than twice that of my miniatures. The site she did was very pretty and would have been nice for someone just making/selling natural toys. I couldn't afford to hire someone else (Michelle's work was for trade and I sent almost $200 worth of fairies to the other designer as well as $200 in cash). SO.... I had pretty much given up on the website.

Our neighbor is a software designer and his son is a graphic designer so they are teaming up to create their own website design business. His assistant is suppose to be the one who is actually building my site. She's been wonderful and we've met several times but a few weeks ago they informed me that they were having to set everything else aside to focus on legal issues with is exwife. I completely understood but still felt that maybe this was just another sign that a website was just not meant to be. I did receive an email from her today though. She wants me to come over this Friday so we can get started. She asked me to bring my Godaddy account info and password so they can get a page set up for my url that lets folks know my business will be opening soon. Right now if you type in www.dream-tree-studio.com you get nothing. So that's a start! David and his assistant are really nice and David's son is a graphic genious! David has already downloaded the program for the cart that i'm wanting to use and he spent hours going through it to make sure that it could be customized the way I want it... so he has put forth some effort. The issues with his kids and his exwife were unexpected and serious. She is mentally ill but has sole custody of the kids so he's having to fight for them. He's giving me a great price because he wants to be able to include my website in his porfolio. If for some reason it just doesn't happen I would definitely like to talk to you, Selena, about putting something together for me.

I'm headed to craft in a few minutes. I should have everything done and shipped by Saturday. If so then Sunday I'm going to do absolutely nothing but sit on my butt and watch movies. I've got some Netflix dvd's that should be here tomorrow and I've got a bag of oatmeal/cranberry softbaked cookies hidden in a antique bowl in my kitchen cupboard ( please tell me I'm not the only woman that has to hide food from her vulture kids and husband lol). I'm going to pick up a 4 pack of Kahlua Vanilla White Russians (SO good!) on my way home saturday and those babies will be brought out as soon as the last kid is down for the night.

I'm so fortunate really... so very blessed. I have a great husband who loves me, 6 beautiful healthy kids (including my stepdaughter), I have a great online community of wonderful women who I can lean on for friendship and support during times when I really feel like I'm going to crack ..or when I'm really wanting to smoke some crack. lol ok that last part was definitely a joke lol

thank you all SO much for your words. :smooch: It really means more than you know. :heart:

Dannielle
01-05-2006, 12:06 AM
:big hug: :big hug: