JPD Mom

What I Do Does Matter to My Children....That is All That Matters

May 31, 2009

Sheesh, this has been a long year, wait that is not what I mean, it is not even half way over.  What I mean is this school yearhas been looooong.  I am not the only one at my little school that thinks this way - it has been an interesting year to say the least.  When we get out of school and the dust has settled, and I am no longer living in it, I will go into it....in great detail possibly.  Many will not believe the storm I have weathered.....living in my own little Harper Valley PTA if you will. 

Wake me When the Economy Picks Up

The whole year has not been bad, it has just not been a great year with JPD, but like I said not even half way over.  Even, with the Economy pretty much sucking for those of us in retail - it is going okay.  People ask me all the time, "How is business?"  My answer is - slow.  It has been the same answer for, oh let's see the past eight months. 

I know that not everyone is slow - but I am.  And I am fine with it.  Let's face it, in this blog I am also willing to be honest....and not everyone is.  I just don't have the time to put a spin on it.  Things are slower for everyone I am pretty sure, I just can't prove it.  I am not dumb enough to think that this will last forever, may be a slower than usual summer, but I do believe that this too shall pass........right? 

However, there is a bright spot for me this year.  I am waiting to go over our numbers for May because we sort of hit it out of the park in May.  We had our huge sale of Princess Plates to a certain someone in Tinsel Town, and of course our Tile Fundraiser we did for my children's school. 

My children's school also benefited from the slow economy, as I was able to take on more at school.  I spent time volunteering in my children's classes, helping with school functions and pretty much doing anything and everything that was asked of me.  And as my husband will tell you, they took complete advantage of the situation. 

Took on Way Too Many Projects

I am thinking this is not an unusual problem for many Mom's to have, especially working Mom's.  I took on too much this past year......and if you tell my husband that I admitted this I may have to come kill you.  Keep it on the down low k?  I feel I spent more time on campus than I did at work, probably too much time on campus.  Just so you can see what I am talking about, here are a few things what I have taken on this past school year:

• Room Mom for daughter's 1st grade class
• Art in Action Teacher  for 60 (yes 60) 4th graders
• Chair for Reflections (a PTA art contest thing for entire school)
• Joined a fund raising committee and designed t-shirts, plus wrote skit for assembly
• Regularly organizing a weekly, monthly cocktail party for the Mom's from our school
• Took the 60 4th graders art and  put it on tiles for the holidays
• Got 60 4th grader's art ready for Art Show and did special End of Year Game Show
• Made special tile for students to give baby gorilla at SF Zoo
• Took my daughter's 20 1st graders art and put it on tile for Mother's Day
• Agreed to help make decorations for 8th grade graduation, that consisted of designing a San Francisco skyline for the entire ball room, painting a 5 ft round moon and um I DON"T EVEN HAVE AN EIGHTH GRADER! 
• Chaired a Wall Art Tile Project for our school AND owned company that did the project  that consisted of; forming a committee, making flyers, brochures, planning an assembly, making posters, an art day for 620 students to design their tile, getting 444 tiles onto boards and grouted for display in the lunch court and another assembly on top of that to unveil the tiles..........anyone else exhausted?

Yep, the last one just about sent me over the edge....oh wait did I forget to mention that I sort of kind of tripped 2 weeks ago?  Ya, I was just going out the back  door and the stair jumped out and tripped me, I rolled my ankle, cut up my shin and killed my prized 20 pound palm tree plant that was in a super cute black pot?  Ya, so if you can imagine the last two weeks have been spent on crutches.....yes crutches....I hate crutches - you know why I am a tad bit overwhelmed.  I am even starting to resent those of you out there with two perfectly good working legs.  I so wish I could walk, talk and carry things at the same time! 

Not Another Pity Party Jamie?

After many tears this past year and realizing that I could not do it all, I started to feel real sorry for myself last week.  I had a mountain of work to do for my real  job business and I had another pile of responsibilities for things I had volunteered for.  Don't get me wrong - all me, all my fault and all totally avoidable.  No one signed me up for the company I started, the kids I had or the many numerous committees I decided to join chair this past year.  I have come to the conclusion once again that I can not do it all, I mean I can not do it all well.  Next year, I have to leave something for others to do.

Going Somewhere I Have Never Gone

Which brings me to last Thursday night and what happened to me.  At our school we have something called Founder's Day.  This is a big event in our school's gymnasium with anyone and everyone that wants to attend.  The PTA swears in and votes for the next year's officers, the 5th graders have a bake sale to raise money for......something, I refuse to find out till I have a 5th grader.  A couple of classes are asked to perform 2 songs.  Then, the PTA  gives out awards to teachers, staff and parents that have gone above and beyond the call of duty.  I have never (up until last week) attended Founder's Day.  To be honest it sounded dreadfully boring and I had no reason to attend.

After sitting through 8 songs by a 1st and a 3rd grade class (it was supposed to be 2 but I am guessing Math is not a subject either teacher excels in) they started handing out awards.  And I must mention that after my crutches fell over and the ENTIRE audience turned around to look at me.........I won an award.  I did!  I did not volunteer for this accolade, I could care less about some certificate in a frame.  I did not really want to gimp my way up to the podium to accept it.  I was humbled, I was honored, but again NOT why I volunteered.  Now, my children had a different take on the night.......

Appreciation in My Children's Eyes

When my friend started describing me and listing the crazy things I volunteered for the things I had done and describing me without using my name, my daughter's face lit up.  Her eyes got big, she turned to me with the biggest smile on her face and she said, "That's you, it's you Mommy!"  To my right my son sat.  He started laughing, looked up to me and said, "I knew it!  I knew you would get an award!"

As I slowly made it up to the stage my two biggest fans sat and clapped, and clapped and clapped.  They were so proud, they were so happy for me.  And they are the reason I do, or did all that I did this year.  I have no regrets.  I am happy that it meant so much to them...........I got more pleasure out of those two comments from them than anything I have done this year. 

My business will be here when they grow up and don't need me at school.   All of the headaches I got and crazy political garbage I had to deal with will be long forgotten.  These years that they need me at school, want me at school will be also be long gone.  But the memories will not.  I will remember that I was there for them when they needed me, but more importantly they will remember I was there.

Maria Shriver came to Town

April 30, 2008.

So, this whole blogging thing has been therapeutic for me, and it (I hope) has helped other female entrepreneur mommy types of women too....so I have been told.  I did not start blogging for the perks  that would soon be reaped by me and my stellar blog.  However, every once in awhile you do get a perk, and I got one last night.  Since I also blog for the Silicon Valley Mom Blog I got invited to a private book signing and apparently a "Gab Fest", as reported by the San Jose Mercury News.   Well la-de-dah, at least our "gabbing" was done in private, a  private book signing that is.  We were also treated to a new ice cream, from Lovin' Scoopful that Maria and her brother came out with, and they donate 25% of proceeds to Special Olympics, thank you very much.

Just Who Will You Be?

I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of her book a few weeks ago and read it in a few hours.  It is a sweet little book about what you will do with your life, how will you make yourself happy. I think this book did exactly what she wanted it to do - make people take a long hard look with how they are spending their lives.  I mean not what you do but who you are.

Better than the book was meeting Maria in person, and she was sweet.  She is very passionate about her dreams, her life and her family.  I got to actually speak with her and she asked about what I did, and if I was living my dream (she actually asked ME?).  I of course answered I was and she asked me how my husband handled that, did he support me?  I told her he did and she asked how I got him to do that - I told her,  "He is just like that"  Maria laughed and repeated what I said a few times and said, "I like that".  I am pretty sure I made a major impression on her, and she is calling Madam Oprah to tell her all about me.....(kidding, kidding)

My two favorite quotes from  last night were these two quotes; When she was asked about finding balance and Maria said: "I've kind of just discovered at this ripe old age that one of the great gifts I found is to mother my own mother, and to give to my own kids the gift that they are enough at any age.  They don't have to go off and score or do great on their SAT for them to be loved."

At the end of the Q&A session and her short presentation she left us with this; "The question is what are you going to do with this wild and precious life of yours?  I decided to put my wild and precious life at the end of the line is no longer acceptable. The gift I'm trying to give my children is letting them understand that they have a wild and precious life and they should live it."

It was very refreshing to read her book, Just Who Will You Be at this time in my life.  I am happy, I am doing what I want to do, I do have a great supportive family also.  I am very, very lucky - I know.  This book just makes you stop and think about what you are doing with your life, and who are you spending it with?  Her speaking was even better though - she really makes you stop and think about what is important to you and your family.

Now What?

Which brings me to my next topic..........blogging.  If you are a frequent reader, or just stop by every once in a blue moon you have probably noticed the blogs are less frequent, especially the last few months.  And in my opinion (it's okay I can say this, I write it) not as good.  I am trying not go to that cross-road place and NOT stop, I really am.  I am not stopping, I am just taking a break, like you know Ross & Rachel, "we were on a BREAK!"

At this time I am really busy; I have a few (that would be 4) very large projects, a trip, new Christmas products, running the business, 2 blogs to write and just living my life.  There are not enough hours in the day it seems for me to blog these days.  The worst part is I miss it, I really do.  I may even go back and post some of my favorite posts........or send you to some other great blogs.  I am not sure what is next, but I do know that time is of the essence and I don't have any extra time!   I am not quitting (I don't think I could) I just may need to take a blogging sabbatical for a few weeks, if I can stay away that is.

7 Things You Do Not Know

March 25, 2008.

With St. Patrick's Day and Easter in the same week, entertaining, baking, cooking and school parties and I even got some work done and blogged twice...yes my brain is mush I tell you.  And when I was not paying attention someone snuck me a....."meme"?  Is that even what you young people call it?  I am not even sure I know what to do with it, I will probably do it all wrong.

I really do not do these "tagged" things well, I think that I give a lot of information away, and that I have divulged enough dirty laundry about moi on this blog.  However, a certain Miss Domestic Diva thinks not - so she tagged me.  Let me say this is the last time I am tagged, I am not doing this again, thank you very much.  You need to list 7 things about yourself, link person who tagged you, list 7 peeops to tag - and then go comment on their blogs....I think that is it.

So, in case you wanted more information about me (oh please, does anyone even care?) here I go:

1. I tried out for the cheer leading squad in high school twice - even though I can not dance.
2. When I got married I insisted that my husband and I were going to have five children.
3. I can't stand velvet
4. I am a sucker for any Gangster (no not Gangsta') movies, books, articles, etc.
5. I never exercise
6. I laugh when people fall, or trip - don't worry I laugh when I fall too.
7. I met my husband at a bar in San Francisco - but since they served food (peanuts) we told our relatives it was a restaurant....don't rat me out, Grandma still believes.

Oh my that was so painful, let me tell you.  If you could please not bring up the whole cheer leading thing again, I would be mighty grateful.  I thought I gave it all up to everyone all the time - who knew I had more dirt to share on myself.  Now I must forward this to seven bloggers - tough one.  Here I go: London, Vicki, Carrie, Michelle, Amber, Amber, Sarah Jane.  Please don't shoot the messenger - sorry ladies, I really had no choice....

A Belated Birthday Wish

February 6, 2007.

I am not even quite sure when the last time I posted, I have had two sick children home for 4 days, a night out, woke up Sunday with fever and coughing up a spleen, two doctors appointments - and missed my mother's birthday yesterday. 

Since I am still coughing so hard I almost pass out , I have been banished to work from home today.  And, today IS the first day I am sitting upright - oh the joys of winter colds.  Sadly, yesterday was my Mother's birthday and I did not get to see her, we did not get to go out for dinner and I did not get to post what I wanted to.  So, even though it is belated - it is still heartfelt:

Dear Mom,

Happy Birthday...yes, this is belated, and I am sorry I did not get to see you yesterday.  I was thinking I would do one of those cute rhyming poems you used to do when we were little - but it sounded totally lame and I scratched that idea.  I wanted to take this time to tell you how much I really appreciate you and all that you do.

1. Thank you for always being there for my kids, for always watching them at a moment's notice
   and never complaining...even when they mis-behave.  Well, I would not know whether they were ever bad, apparently there is this "What happens at Nana's Stays at Nana's" mantra the kids are always mumbling when they come home.
2. Thank you for always being there for me whether I ask you to or not - you come and help me at home, at work, with the children, with family cooking disasters....you just show up and help me out.  Many of my children's "over the top" birthday parties would not have been the success without the help from you....and yes I do promise to never, ever, ever do home-made snow cones again - I swear!
3. Thanks for always supporting me, no matter how crazy you might have thought my idea was.   You never questioned I would not be a success, and when other parents may have not supported art as a career - you stood behind me and always supported my choices.  I know there was that crazy few weeks at the end of college when I did um, think I might travel around the country as a representative for my sorority after graduating, and you did squash that pretty quickly - but other than that (and I deserved it) you have always been my biggest supporter.
4. Thanks for always taking my other child....no not Darin, my four legged little person covered with fur.  I know she can be a bit much sometimes, and tends to mouth off and howl around dinner time....or uh, an hour before dinner time that is.  Oh, and I realize she has been known to actually get back in bed after you made it, but I do appreciate you always taking care of her when we are away.  She loves to go to Nana's house too.
5. Thanks for always being there for Darin and I - no matter what you are there for us.  You have always helped us out, been there for us - and never complained.  We are so lucky to have you and Dad live so close by - not so close that you show up every night un-announced for dinner - but close enough that you can be here if we need you.
6. Thanks for your sense of humor - and I am so glad I got it!  You always know when to laugh at a situation, or when to um squirt us with the water while doing the dishes.  Sometimes all we can do is laugh - and you always make us feel better.  Of course it's better when we are laughing at someone else, and not you laughing at me - but still,  the laughing is good.

Hope you had a wonderful birthday and thanks for always being a great mom!  Hope to see you soon....once I stop coughing, and sneezing.

Love,
Jamie

Family Always Comes First

December 28, 2007

The past few weeks have been very difficult for our family.  I have not been able to focus on very many things - family has come first.  Nothing has gotten much of my attention; the business, home life, duties at school, the house or the blog for that matter. 

Sometimes life gets in the way of your plans, and sometimes you have to just drop everything and be there for your family members.  That is the major perk about being the boss - I get to make family first and damn-it no one gets in my way.

The End of an Era

Early yesterday morning my Grandfather passed away.  So, unfortunately I am ending this year on a sad note with a loss.  I am blessed I was able to know him for so long, and even my children were able have a wonderful relationship with their Great Grandfather. 

The last two weeks we have had family members come to visit from all over the country, all the while trying to keep the business running, hug and kiss our children and make sure that Christmas was not canceled.  Not sure if I mentioned earlier but both my parents work with me at Jamie's Painting & Design - so it has been a double whammy to say the least.

I am very thankful to friends, family, employees and even strangers for helping us out, stepping up to the plate and pretty much making sure we got everything done we needed to get done.

What the Blog Has Become

It is strange how important this blog has become...well to me anyway.  It is more than a "day in the life...blah, blah, look at my cute kids" blog, I find this blog helps me through the good and the bad times, even though  I am probably more honest than I should be.  I have been told that if I tell everyone all my secrets to success there will be nothing left.  Lastly, I am an open book when it comes to some topics, I don't keep much to myself, and no don't worry I am not going again there again.

I will pick back up with the Entrepreneurs when the dust settles, and the relatives (returning once again) have packed up and gone home.  I am not sure when I will post again, I am sure it won't be long before I feel the need to dump here, I even have an article sitting here that has me pretty peeved.

"Somebody should tell us, right at the start of our lives, that we are dying.  Then we might live life to the limit, every moment of every day.  Do it!  I say.  Whatever you want to do, do it now!  There are only so many tomorrows." - Pope John Paul VI

The End of the Halloween

November 3, 2007.

So....I had to let you all know where my witty dry sense of humor and total sarcastic attitude came from.  I am happy, or not to say that it came from my mother. 

She has a way of laughing at people when they fall down (even it she was only eight years old and an elderly couple fell on the escalator at the mall and then had to ride it all the way to the second floor....on their backs) to her way pointing out  an embarrassing situation.  She has been known to snort a few times when she laughs too hard.

But I digress, I would like to show you who she decided to dress like.  She took it upon herself to also talk and type on her blackberry all day long, carry a very fancy purse and say things like, "I don't have time to volunteer I have a business and two kids you know."  and her all time favorite, "This stinks!"

Behold my mother.......dressed up for Halloween - like ME!

Happy October, and another shout out to Atlanta!

So I have been wanting to change the blog for quite awhile.  I figured it should be a reflection of my artwork, instead of looking like a college student's Photo shop project that went awry.  Having majored in Computer Art in college, I know my way around Photo shop and I used to use those special effects on EVERYTHING I did - swirly? drop shadow? pixelated? You got it!  The more special effects the better.  I like my drawings better...hope you do too!

I also, uh added a fabulous new photo of me dressed up, in costume.  And after close introspection, and the uh, advice of my sister - I added a disclaimer that said it IS a costume....I can only imagine what would happen when Oprah decides to start reading my blog and catches me in that turquoise eye shadow!  I did love myself some turquoise eyeliner in high school though...sorry it's the truth!

Atlanta, My Georgia Peach!

As I mentioned in an earlier post, uh stress and entrepreneurship pretty much go hand in hand.  You can not have one (well not successful) with out the other at some point in your companies history.  Unfortunately for me I did not know how poorly my body would deal with stress.....until I started Jamie's Painting & Design.  I tend to get sick easily when stressed (duh!) and yes, I am worried about the long term affects.

Right after I returned from Atlanta, with my tail between my legs, jet lag and a pile of work to do I noticed I lost my voice.  I am positive London and I left it somewhere between isle 1900 and the Budweiser cart, but needless to say I have not seen or heard it since.  Now I am not saying I am mute, just well - let's say I have a very sexy 'come hither' smoker's voice.....minus the wonderful wet throaty cough.  I can not yell or scream.  I can not raise my voice (any of you with kids, know that this can be a bit of a problem....).

After two doctor, no make that three visits and a very intrusive long camera thingie shoved (yes I said shoved) down my nose all the way into my throat I got a diagnosis.  My left vocal cord is paralyzed.  They have no idea how it happened, or why, probably a virus that attacked my vocal cord.  I get to have a cat scan in a few weeks (oh joy!) to make sure there is nothing else wrong with me, and to make sure I do not have any other 'odd ailment'.

So, damn-it when Oprah calls (yes I am sure she will someday!) to have me on her show I won't have much of a voice.  I am forced to speak quiet (and carry a big stick....ya, ya - I am actually a fantastic whistler so I am forced to do that to get attention sometimes) and rest my voice, and wait an entire year until the powers that be (Doctor experts) know if it is permanently paralyzed, or not.

Thanks Atlanta - another great thing to come out of that trip!  Really I can not WAIT (not) to go back!  Maybe next time I can get my other vocal cord paralyzed there....and for those of you that think I got this because I talk to much (my husband thinks that is the funniest joke) you would be incorrect.  As my Doctor has informed me, I have a very fragile immune system.....more good news!

Freedom...free........erh.......Flexibility!!!

August 27, 2008.

Okay so I have a bit of a predicament to deal with tomorrow - a real kawink-a-dink, a conundrum if you will.......oh what the - it SUCKS!  I get to go put my Mommy britches on and be a real Mama Bear.  Let's just say that IF I worked for "the Man" or "Boss Lady" I would need to take the day off.  However, I work for myself, and (puffing chest out and pounding it with my fists) I am the boss.  So, my uh....problem will get to be dealt with immediately - work will wait.

I get to be the bad gal, girl, lady, mom - pretty much you can just try and think of that mother in The Hand That Rocks the Cradle....ya I am gonna be one bad-ass Mommy.  There seems to be a little um, "mis-communication" (and yes, I am standing here doing the quotation marks with my hands when I say this).   I need to go and meet with the principal at my son's (and now daughter's) school and uh.....well, I will hopefully be able to "fix" (yes air quotes again) the situation.

The nice thing is that I have the freedom to just DO IT.  I can stick around all day, I can pace, I can picket, I can cry, I can make meetings, I can do WHATEVER it takes to "fix" ( ya, ya, you know the drill) the problem.  Being a Mompreneur I have that luxury to stick around - as much as I love what I do, and I love my business, I love my children more.  Well.....cross your fingers I can fix this.  I often hear from mothers all over the country asking, thinking, wishing they could start a business - and I tell them the truth about it.  But, I honestly wish them the BEST of luck and hope that they do it - I love the prospect of another Mother starting her own business - I support them 100%!  To be in charge of your own destiny is huge....it is pretty awesome. 

So.......that being said I am feeling very generous (and vulnerable) today and I thought I would put something out there.  Why don't ya check this website out?

www.jamiespnd.com

Hmmm, have you been to the site?  Do you need a new ornament?  Would ya? Could ya?  Well as of yesterday my super-duper webmaster (here is the disclaimer that the big wigs use - he is my cousin's husband but I still love him dearly) posted all of our new products up on our site.  We have really expanded our line of products  (yes....251 different products) and hope to continue to do this.  The absolute joy I find creating new products and then having them become best- sellers on our site, other sites....well it is just AWESOME!!!  But, I digress:

I have a a request: Anyone, everyone that leaves a "comment" on this blog about the website (good or bad - please be honest!) will receive a free ornament (Small ornament the retail is $20.00).  You can email your personal information to jamie@jamiespnd.com - I swear I will not SPAM you!  So, you pick, which one you want - but you MUST leave a comment about the site - good or bad!!  The comment has to be on the blog, and the constructive criticism will be appreciated!  And your address will be a big help....

So go on out there people!  Take a risk......I know YOU read the blog!!!  It's easy....feedback is the big part of writing a blog.

Don't make me beg, it is soooo un-ladylike!

My True Passion - Birthday Parties

August 15, 2007.

I bet you thought it was cartoons, or drawing or rhinestones........well truth be told I will always have a soft spot in my heart for rhinestones....and glitter!  I do love myself things that are all sparkly and covered in glitter.  When I was tad younger (oh let's say I was five) I used try and wear jewelry to school, basically sneak the contra-band into kindergarten.  They would send me home with a baggie pinned to my back with my precious jewels inside - telling my mother that "Jamie has trouble drawing in class when she has a ring on all ten of her fingers".

Alas, but no my passion is... I love, love, LOVE throwing my kid's birthday parties.  I just go to town with the whole theme thing - and the invites, the cake, the decor, the games, even the food is all wrapped around one theme.  Trust me with a five year old and an almost eight year old (boy and girl) I have done MOST parties.

Abby turned five so we did a "Build Your Own Bear" Party.  Since she has like 12 bears from that place, I did not want to go there once again.  So we got our own bears, and made our own clothes.  Each child got five Bear Bucks to spend on a bear, bear clothes, decorate a bear cookie, face painting, popcorn, and lemonade.

Some easy things I did for the "Build Your Own Bear" party:

• Invites were simple, with teddy bear stickers that the kids helped me decorate.  We (my mom that is ) wrote about Abby's Beary Special Day...
• Chocolate cupcakes from the bakery we decorated with Teddy Grahams
• Bears were ordered on line for under a $1.00 each
• Clothes were made from felt, lace can make great skirts, rhinestones for earrings, blush on the cheeks, even fake eyelashes, hats from the craft store even.
• Teddy Bear cookies made ahead of time, the kids got to cover with frosting and sprinkles
• Decorated backyard with teddy bears
• Played Teddy, Teddy, Bear when the natives got restless (Duck, Duck, Goose)
• Painted small brown teddy bears on kids cheeks

The problem with this party idea is the kids were done dressing the darn bears in 1/2 an hour so we had to improvise, and run next door to the park to blow off some steam.  And, uh the sugar probably did not help, but oh well - figure why not pump the kids full of crap....then send them home.

Of course best part of staying with the theme, is letting my daughter be a part of the decorating and the planning.  As you can see from the 47 bears on her bed, she uh........well she likes bears.

This is what I spend my free time doing....planning birthday parties.

Isn't it Ironic?

August 8, 2006.

So, my last post was all about "finding the time" and how I was able to multi-task OH SO well.  Look at me I am so organized and together.....acknowledging it was the worst thing.  Now look at me, I am behind on everything!

Well, truth be told we did go on vacation for a week to Mexico, with my children.  There was a little, um, melt-down, cold sweats, going through with drawl around last Wednesday from being away from the office.  My husband quickly found a cold margarita and some chips and salsa to drown out my sorrows.

So, being away from the business sure puts work in perspective, oh not for me - for everyone else I work with that was still working last week.  I did not expect this - but, leaving for a week forces everyone that is picking up after you to REALLY understand the business.  When they have to actually DO what you DO.

Talking is great, email is great, big slides, wipe boards, waving your arms around (pst... crying helps too).  However, walking a mile in my shoes when I can not be reached - teaches you quite a bit.  And don't get me wrong I was not looking for sympathy for how hard it is to run a business.  It is just that I tend to get a lot and I mean A LOT of suggestions from people I work with and even those that I don't. 

Bottom line we did come up with some great solutions, some easy ways to do things.  We have put the 'finding an office person' on the fast track before the holidays hit.  Shipping and gift wrap have been re-organized, printing has been improved, scheduling, etc.  I have been given lists of 'ways' to improve, everyone seems to be buzzing about what we need to do now.

Now who wants to clean the toilet this week?   

High & Low for the Day

July 18, 2006.

About a year ago my family started doing 'high for the day and low for the day' at the dinner table.  We thought it was a good way to keep us all posted on all the going's ons of our days (nursery school, grammar school, JPD, my husbands work, time with sitter).  My daughter, at the mere age of 3 did not quite get it and always insisted we tell our silliest part of the day'.

Well, we have not done it in awhile, however while I was bathing my daughter I started thinking about my lows for today :

• Tiles did not show up that were promised yesterday
• UPS tried to deliver something but missed me by 2 minutes
• A tile arrived at a customers home broken by Fed Ex
• I am inking birth Certificates tonight
• Major Contract needs to be filled out tonight
• All products ready for photo shoot Thursday

Now, as I do with my kids I must do my 'high's', and I only have one

• My son and daughter, a total fluke, are going to be on the Weather Channel this Saturday morning

The enthusiam of my children will always energize me, regardless of the amount of lows I experience in any given day.

Kids don't get R & D

July 17, 2006.

I know, I know I have not posted in over a week - shame on me.  YA, BUT....(cue whinny voice) I have been very, very busy.  I am still up to my arm pits with developing new products, signing a contract, working on exclusives for another company, changing way we produce products, train new artist (she is SO talented!), send company information to existing boutiques, figure out what products to send to media for possible press, get photos ready for photo shoot........did I miss anything.

I honestly always thought I was pretty good at multi-tasking, but um, adding more things to do at the same time pretty much does NOT guarantee you do any more, or do it any better.  My work gets sloppy.  Oh, did I forget to mention the vacation I am going on....this weekend and another one next weekend?

So - my plan to drink Red Bull all day long and not sleep for the next 72 hours...ya I wish, is not working out the way I planned.

I have to focus and do what HAS to be done immediately.  I have gone back to lists, but I am happy to say number 1 (develop new products and painting prototypes) is almost finished.  Each day I cross one or two things (do JPD blog) off my list, and am able to serve left-overs (again) for dinner or last resort start crying and ask for help.  Running your own business does NOT mean you have to do it all.

This is hard for me, I am a perfectionist, and I am also someone that believes I can do it all.  I had my daughters 4th birthday this past Saturday (over 30 toddlers, siblings and parents oh my!) and I had decided I would paint her bed room before the party.  I was serious, I even bought the paint, tore her room a part and had planned on painting before the party.

My husband made me have the 'come to Jesus' meeting on Thursday, and I quietly put the paint in the garage, and put her room back together Friday night. 

These days people are actually offering to take things off my plate, I think they know I am on the brink of a nervous break down from stress....or they are reading my blog ;).

WAHM & WM Support

April 26,2006.

WAHM -Work At Home Mom, this is what I was for three years.  Now am I a WM - Working Mom?  Or a Mompreneur?  Am I a WMM?  Or, since I am not full time and I do work remote for part of the work week I guess that would make me a WAH&WMM.....oh gosh, my head hurts.

Now that I do spend part of my time outside of the home a good caregiver for my children is key.

Working Mom's, whether it is out of the home or out of an office both work - and both need caregivers or daycare, or babysitters.  Having run a business out of my home without ANY childcare help, I know it is close to impossible, and very un-fulfilling.  Working Mom's need a good support system to succeed in life and in business.

Tonight at dinner, my son brought up a Nanny we had for all of two weeks-almost 3 years ago.  I hired her when I was running the business out of my home, I was the only employee.  She seemed like the perfect fit, we Nanny shared with another family.  I liked her on site, she was soft spoken sweet and kind, very grandmotherly.  Strangely enough, my son did not like her - mind you he was four, but he liked EVERYBODY.  We ofcourse found this out later.

Week One....good

Week Two....Not so good

She decided, she needed a raise.  She thought I would cave.  Her boyfriend thought she was worth more money.  I said good-bye and spent the next 6 months without any help.  It was hell.  And Christmas was horrible - lots of TV, lots of take-out, lots of lack of sleep.  I did learn a valuable lesson though, running a business is tough, entrusting your children with someone that is not loyal or does not want to really be there - unacceptable.

Today we use a college student, part-time, she is wonderful, the kids love her.  The money we spend is well worth it.....so that in our free time we are able to spend it with our kids.  Whether you run your business in your home or out of the home, a great support system is key. 

I never worry about my children's well being while I am work.  When starting a business you have to think about these things......

I have a football hangover

February 7, 2006.

I am so sick of football - thank god the Superbowl is over!  My husband is a die-hard Steelers fan, and he has converted my poor children.  The three of them have steelers clothes and hats and they wear them for every game.  Mind you - we live in California.

We had ESPN on all day Saturday and Sunday until the game started, I even watched ESPN on Saturday.  ESPN had a Superbowl count down of the best games....I am embarrassed to say I  know who number one was (Giants vs. Buffalo right after Desert Storm). 

My husband lives for football season - we have a Satellite dish and a NFL Season Ticket  (we can NOT miss even one game).  Did I mention I am so happy it is over?  Here are some things I won't miss from the past football season:

• The USC fight song
• My son in tears after USC lost the championship game
• My children with black marker underneath their eyes, as if they were playing in the game
• My daughter refusing to wear the cute Steelers cheereading outfit and instead wearing her brothers old jersey
• When asked what she wanted to be when she grew up my daughter proclaimed, "A football player!"
• The terrible towel waved in my face
• Sundays with football on all day long
• ESPN Sunday  night with football highlights (as if we missed anything!)
• Chili & hot dogs with the football games
• Monday night football
• The goatee my husband grew as a good-luck charm for the Pittsburgh Steelers to win a play off game.....and he still has it, since they are still winning.

So we put away the black and gold clothing, the pom poms and the terrible towels.  We are still watching replays, play by plays, Superbowl highlights and the DVD of Steeler highlights.  As soon as I see the "I'm going to Disneyland" commercial then I can put this football season to rest....finally.

Life changes, just like that

January 31, 2005.

Funny how life changes in the blink of an eye.  Someone you thought that would be there forever is suddenly gone.  A healthy person becomes sick, a baby grows up, a job you had is all of a sudden gone.  Your life can be turned on it's side when you least expect it.

I will be going to my third funeral in less that six months this week.  I hate funerals, I mean I really hate them.  I feel so helpless while attending them, sitting there watching people suffer, suffering with them.  I am not looking forward to this one at all, very sad, very sudden.

When a tragedy strikes it makes me look at my life, my priorities, what I spend my days doing.  The grudges I hold.  What is really important?  Do I spend too much time at work?  Do I spend enough time with my family?  Am I really happy? 

I wish I could live each day as if it were my last.  I wish I would be able to do something scary every day-something that scares me to death.  That 'thing' I was saving for a special occasion - I shouldn't bother saving, I should use it.  Or, I think I will just make sure I tell the people closest to me how I feel about them - today.