flattermefancy

CPSIA

I just recently learned of the new law put in effect by president george bush (yes he's not deserving of capital letters on his name).

Recently bush signed a law stating that in short, all businesses large and small who sell items catering to children 12 years and under, now have to go through third party testing for lead contents in their products. While the testing of each item reaches into the hundreds of dollars per item, the fines for illegally selling these items reaches into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Toy makers have started closing up their shops. Brick and mortar stores have also started closing up. Homecrafters are scared to death that their small businesses will be finished and especially those like me, who sell clothing and may only sew one to two of the same outfit. This will ruin all of us, ruin the economy for good, cause many families who rely on that small extra income to no longer be able to make ends meet. Bills will not get paid. Food will not go on the table. Items made prior to February 10, 2009, when this law takes effect, will no longer be sellable unless you get this third party testing therefore promoting more waste removal, more dumpage into our land and inevitably killing us or for the sake of lead that many of us grew up with and aren't dead for being exposed to it. Craft shows will see less crafter's. Garage Sales will no longer be allowed to sell anything relating to a child if it was made before this date and hasn't been tested. While I would never intentionally put a child at risk, laws need to be fair and bush didn't give a rat's behind when he signed this law. Ebayers and Etsians contributing to the field of products for children will no longer exist. The boutique world will no longer exist. Friendships will be ruined. Businesses will suffer. And as we fall into a third world country type atmosphere while bush sits on his rosey red ars living high on the hog, the rest of us will fall so far down under, we will have to die to see an end to it all, all because of CHINA, the initial country of fault here who provoked all of this and are now sitting on their arses watching us go under and them surely becoming the super power. Do we all really believe those gymnasts were of age at the olympics this past summer. How conveniently, the investigations were knocked by the waist side every time. China has nobody to tell them what to do. They have no shame, no scruples, no morals and obviously no laws regarding anything. I'm disgusted at this country we call the United States and have been for quite awhile. Politicians have a better chance of going to jail than a murderer. More and more jobs are going overseas while Americans live in the "United States of Disarray" barely able to make ends meet. Jobs aren't available to pay debt. Gas prices soar with no recourse. Car dealers get too greedy and then want bailed out. Abuse, neglect, child torture and abandonment, threats in schools, lack of good moral values in many families, police brutality, retirees not able to afford medical care, social security gone and the list goes on and on and on. This is not a country that is United. This is a country on it's way to the end. Right now we are no better than any of these countries we are fighting. Who are we to say what's right in another country when our own country is so screwed up, nobody knows the right way to live anymore. We vote in a new president in hopes he will make the changes he so claims. But in a time of change, Obama has already back railed on some of his promises. Promises that are fully researched are successful. Promises made to otherwise benefit ones own greedy intentions will never be successful. Many have high hopes for Obama based off his promises but he's got a huge problematic law that was just enacted, let's see what he does with it. While many of us will be spending our Christmas wondering will we be able to sell in the new year, congress is now sitting in their happy place at home for the rest of the year without a worry. I wonder how they would feel if the whole United States ignored their stupid new law. What are they going to do, fine the whole U.S. Give me a break. It's about time this country grows up and starts acting like a country United. I've got two young children at home that fight and bicker constantly but I will say this, in a time of need, they are more united than this country could ever have hopes of being. So sad!

Just to make a point of the trickle down effect:

*ebay, Etsy, Winkelf etc will lose a large business to do with children
*Merchant Moms and other website hosters will see many websites closing since they will no longer be needed and their sales will go down and those that keep their websites will face higher rates to keep theirs open to cover what these companies are losing, that's if the companies don't go belly up
*Sellersourcebook and other hosting sites, who needs hosting if you aren't selling
*Typepad and other blog companies we actually pay for won't be needed anymore 
*Toy stores stock will significantly decrease and some will close. Demand will go higher and so will prices.
*Garage sales will no longer sell children's items
*Landfills will fill with non-tested items
*Many clothing stores will close up shop
*Friendships lost of those who create together
*Bills not paid and more debt will be incurred
*Unemployment rate will rise even more
*Homecrafters will cease to exist-the core of the United States market
*Craft shows will no longer sell children's items
*The international market from those we CAN trust will no longer sell to us eliminating jobs overseas as well since workers won't be needed to handle as much output
*USPS, Fedex, UPS etc will see a decline in shipments
*Increased cost of items that will be able to meet the new requirements but the extra cost will be passed to the general public
*Customers will no longer be able to purchase the items they love
*Fabric companies and supply companies-well you get the picture!!!

There's more I'm sure and I'm just one person selling children's products. Amazing how my one business going down can affect all these other businesses and people. Again, I'm just one of the many. Despicable isn't it! I hope to be back in the new year but as of right now, there's just no telling. The future doesn't look great for any of us. They can take away my ability to sell, but they can't take away my passion to sew.  Come in, be united, sign the petition to stop this lunacy: SIGN PETITION HERE

Brayden's Yearly Portraits

Yesterday we took Brayden for his yearly portraits and I'm just sharing the couple we chose.  He looks so sweet and innocent in the first one and then the second one he looks like he's got some mischief brewing.  That's Brayden totally.  So cute and sweet with little stinker horns under his hair.

Back to School with Shaylee

Shaylee started preschool this week.  Here's a couple pictures.  Stop by and check them all out here:

http://PracticeWriter.com/vu/?4C80B

 

Back to School with Brayden

Brayden started 1st grade this week.  Here's a couple pictures.  Stop by and check them all out here:

http://PracticeWriter.com/vu/?4C6A5

 

Just Some Stuff

Well the baby bunnies have moved on to live their life in the wild.  One day they were there, next day they were gone.

On the home front, we are preparing for Brayden's return to school.  He will be a big boy 1st grader now.  My how Kindergarten flew by.  He will be finishing up summer camp next week.  Shaylee on the other hand has her last day of camp tomorrow then she'll be going back on the 3rd to begin preschool.  Before I know it, she'll be starting Kindergarten.

On the sewing front, I am working on 2 new sets.  One will be for the LemonLime launch on the 27th called LemonLime Loves to Read.  Be sure to stop by and check it out.  I am also working on an owl set in fall colors to be listed shortly.

Otherwise, not much to report.  Just busy as usual.  Summer always consumes my time.

The Love of a Pet

This past Wednesday, we had to say goodbye to a loved one in our family. Skittles, our beagle of 9 years, was sadly put down.

It seems so strange to think at the beginning of the year, she was a happy go lucky girl, chasing our other dog, enjoying life. Then came one day a couple months into the year, when Skittles seemed to have taken an injury. She yelped every time she had to lift her legs up stairs or when she'd get up from sleeping. The poor thing was in pain and how it happened, we had no clue but after dealing with it for a couple weeks, off we went to the doctor where she was x-ray'd. Well other than one leg different in size from the other which let me say was so barely there, I couldn't even tell but okay whatever, she was fine. They were a little concerned over the leg difference but gave her pain killers and sent her on her way. That was it. Within the week, Skittles resumed normal activity.

Shortly after in early April, Skittles went back for her routine checkup. Well according to Dr. Know It All, Skittles needed dental surgery to fix some of her periodontal disease. Okay so the weird thing is, we don't know anyone that bathes their dogs, cleans their teeth and ears often, cuts nails etc etc and yet here we are faced with something that our dog gets being clean while others skate by being the dirty dogs they are. Go figure. Skittles also had a lump about the size of a walnut on her back thigh which the doc also wanted removed and tested. So we schedule surgery. Surgery went well with the exception of the phone call I got during her surgery, "oh we'd like to pull 4 of her teeth because they are loose and could cause abscesses, by the way that will be an additional $700 on top of the $600 you are already paying. Umm yeah right. Do we look like we grow a money tree in the back yard. I think not. We declined.

So for the following couple weeks, we gave Skittles pills, soaked her food to make it soft for her, coddled her with that cone on her head since she was so mad she had it on. We took care of her like she was the princess she actually thought she was. Her recovery seemed to be going well. 3 weeks after surgery, we had follow up and we were given the all clear. Yayy, no more cone.

Over the course of the next couple weeks, Skittles started refusing food period. We tried everything. We gave her hard food, soft food, canned food, dog and human food mixed together, human food period. She tried each for a couple days then would give up on each one by one.  Back to the doctor we go.  What did the doc say: "Skittles is being stubborn and associating the pills being put in her food and how much she didn't like it with her dog bowl.  Change bowls and put somewhere else."  Alrighty then.  To any other person this may sound like a real joke of a doctor but to us, this would totally fit Skittles and her personality.  She was the prissiest dog we knew. 

The next couple weeks, brought no changes.  At this point, I was fed up with this doctor who should have tested her blood on the last visit but didn't.  They wanted me to come back, pay another visit charge and then do a blood test.  While all this had been going on with Skittles, we switched our other dog to a new vet closer to home.  We were in love.  Is it possible to really love your vet that much?  Oh yes, it is.  There was no comparison both in price and bedside manner.  We chose to take Skittles for a second opinion.  They were immediately worried about her.  They took blood and x-ray'd her whole body.  Then came the news.  Skittles had something on her lung.  With just an x-ray it couldn't be determined in full.  We needed an ultrasound to determine definitely but from what could be seen, we were looking at either a partially collapsed lung that occurred during surgery at this other vet, a massive tumor on the lung that could be cancerous or pneumonia.  Skittles was in serious condition and losing weight quickly.  Our hands were tied.  After spending over $1200 on Skittles in the last month, we just couldn't do an ultrasound which would have been upwards of $500.  We had to draw the line somewhere.  They put Skittles on antibiotics over the next couple weeks just to see if they would help then we would know we were looking at a lung infection.  The med's sadly did not help and by this point, Skittles was no longer being sociable.  Her bones were sticking out and she had developed a nasty huffing and coughing sound.  

Back to the doctor.  Another x-ray was given just to see if the med's helped.  They didn't and we were advised to consider putting her down.  There was no hurry in doing this, just when we felt it was time.  Our doctor was amazing.  Crying right there with us, she consoled us as best she could talking about how beautiful Skittles was and what a good dog she was.

We decided to have her put down a week and a half later but were having a very difficult time accepting it.  Then it happened.  2 days before this dreaded day, Skittles started getting up, moving around, being sociable again, eating dog food...huh!  What was going on?  We called the vet to cancel and they were in complete shock but more than happy to cancel that appointment.  For the following week, Skittles seemed to be doing slightly better.  She was taking walks and wagging her tail.  We then had hope until the following week when she did a complete 180 again.  Refused all food except lunchmeat.  At this point, she was unbearable to watch.  So thin and the cough, it was horrible.  We knew Skittles had given us that extra time to get used to the idea of needing to tell her goodbye.  What a gift that was.  We rescheduled the day to have her put down.  Right before she went in, she started vomitting a little blood and we knew.  That was one of the hardest days I have had to go through.  Tomorrow it will be a week since her passing, and it's been excruciatingly hard.  Some of our family and friends have been there to support us and help get us through this trying time.  Then other family members have completely downplayed that she was a family member to us, a child if you will which was just hurt on top of hurt already.  How can people be so cruel, I wonder.

For now, we are all trying to cope with the loss and the void in our lives but each day is slightly better than the last.  Nothing like a pet to tug hard on those heart strings especially a pet like Skittles who definitely kept us on our toes and laughing constantly.  She is terribly missed.

Shaylee's 4th Birthday Portraits

Well with all that has gone on the last couple months with Shaylee being sick and our dog being sick and all the other crazy life events, we missed having Shaylee's portraits done at her birthday back in May so yesterday we finally go them done and I love how they came out.

One Little Sleepy Head

So this morning I woke up to find something strange laying on the hallway bathroom floor.  What was it that planted itself there in the middle of the night?

IT WAS A SHAYLEE BRYNN!!!

After she woke up this morning, we asked her why did you go to sleep on the bathroom floor?

And her answer...cuz I was tired!

Well there you have it.  Commonsense from a 4 year old.  Duh Mom!

Barbie Diva Pants and the Graduate

Wow, sounds like some crazy wild new movie coming out doesn't it?

Lucky you, you get to meet the cast right now:

In the role of Barbie Diva Pants we have Shaylee Brynn showing off her most adorned attire she will be sporting in this movie.  She has taken Miss Blah Barbie from days gone by and mixed her with a little flare, a little sass and a little spunk.  This look is sure to be all the rage.

You'll never believe who her designer was.  It's this cutie pie newcomer whom we refer to as the Graduate.  Brayden Alexander is such a multi-talented individual.  While graduating from Kindergarten (see pic below from his last day of school today) he also dabbles in Fashion Designing in his free time.  Hmmm, I couldn't tell you where he get's his great flare for design.  He dressed Barbie Diva Pants in her stunning look and helped her get to the runway for her fashion show in front of mommy and daddy.  The show was a hit.

It's a Woman Thing...

  

Sometimes I wonder if I should have been born a man. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a woman in every sense but sometimes, I wish I could turn off the emotions that come with being a woman. I laugh as I say this because I’m thinking of all the men out there, saying “right on sister”. All the men wishing daily they didn’t have to deal with a woman and her emotional outlook on things, her dastardly way of turning the little things into life’s biggest upset, her complete knack for misunderstanding words and biting the head off of the person who spoke…shame on them for talking.

What is it about a woman that makes her so headstrong? I’ve met many a woman, some in school, some in the corporate working world, some on the various sites I sell on, and even though I meet women in all different situations and different places and let me say I’ve met some superb fantastic strong women with the kindest hearts around, the result is always the same, one way or another, the queen bee will eventually appear making us think “ALL” women can be catty and rude, snippy and snotty, demeaning and reprimanding.

I can’t say how many times I’ve internally thought, next time I want to work for a man, next time, I’ll keep my mouth shut so my words and actions aren’t misunderstood, next time, I’ll steer clear of the queen bee so she doesn’t proceed to stick her stinger up my posterior.

It’s really too bad, we don’t have a lag period before we all speak. Do you know how much nicer the world would be if our words and thoughts and actions went through a virtual sort out experiment if you will before actually being verbalized or written. Women could actually live and work together in harmony. Now speaking as the woman I am, can we try this experiment out on a man first!

It’s a woman thing!!!

1 hour of Photography Yesterday

So I thought I'd take an hour to play with my new camera and try different settings. So here's me sharing what I captured in that hour:

MOMMA BIRD FEEDING HER BABIES IN HER NEST UP ON THE GUTTER OF OUR HOUSE:

BRAYDEN HAD HIS TOOTH PULLED AND I JUST WANTED TO CAPTURE IT REAL FAST:

HERE IS ONE OF MY PLANTS IN MY GARDEN:

 

MOMMA BIRD AGAIN:

 

ANOTHER PLANT:

 

AND ANOTHER:

THEN THE SKIES OPENED UP AND WE HAD TORNADO WARNINGS AND SEVERE STORMS:

THIS IS OUR FRONT STOOP. BRAYDEN LEFT HIS CARS OUT THERE WHEN THE RAIN CAME. NEEDLESS TO SAY, LOOKING AT THAT RAIN, THERE WAS NO WAY I WAS GOING OUT TO GET THEM:

THEN CAME THE RAINBOW THAT LASTED I KID YOU NOT JUST 60 SECONDS:

OUT CAME THE SUN AGAIN. NOW WHY BRAYDEN IS WEARING A COAT WHEN IT'S 90 OUTSIDE, I HAVE NO IDEA. I THINK HE THOUGHT HE'D STAY DRY:

BRAYDEN RESUMED PLAYING WITH HIS WET CARS:

Oh the Pain of a Wounded Piggie

So yesterday I decided my family hasn't had nearly enough family time together so off we go outside.  We turn on the bubble machine that officially blows "4000 bubbles per minute".  The kids had such a blast.

After that we turned the sprinkler on in the front yard, after all, my garden was a little thirsty as well so why not water while the kids play.

Well I attempted this atrocious feat I constantly tell my children not to do and that is run on wet grass in bare feet.  I did it and did I get punished for it.  My feet became wet noodles as they flew out from under me.  As I land with the grace of an elephant my big toe decided to take a tour of the underside of my foot.  In full force, there she bent from the joint all the way under and proceeded to scrape the ground as I came to a wondrous halt, legs split in contortionist movements.  OHHHHH MYYYY GOSHHHHH....the PAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  My poor big piggie was wounded and raw.

After about an hour, I was shocked when there was no pain left.  Could my piggie possibly take such a blow and come through like a trooper?  Absolutely NOT.  Within about 3 hours, the pain set in.  I thought I had broke my toe.  Wait a minute, I had been walking on it with no problems.  Nah, it's not broke but I sure would like to chop it off now.  The pain was so horrendous, I wanted to cry.  Tylenol followed shortly after along with a pack of ice.  Have you ever put ice on a piggie?  Let's just say piggie's are a sensitive bunch and DO NOT LIKE ICE.  There I lay trying to rest my head and go to sleep and that darn thing, I could feel my pulse through it.  All the veins in my feet were rising to the occasion as the shooting throb went up to my ankle.  Then not a moment too soon, the Tylenol kicked in.  Off I went to sleep for the night only to wake up to a majorly bruised toe, all swollen.  Now I'm the gimp-aholic.  Geesh, maybe next time I'll remember the rules I so proclaim all to often...

 NO RUNNING ON THE WET GRASS!

My Brayden, the Stud

In the second quarter of the school year Brayden had this little girl Ashley that he was constantly being silly with. They would hug each other goodbye at the end of the day, make silly faces to each other and so on. We couldn't help ourselves but laugh at the fact "Brayden had a girlfriend". All of a sudden, this other little girl who wasn't even in his class was talking to him and moving in on Ashley's territory. Well she must not have been that important because Brayden couldn't even remember her name LOL. A few weeks ago, Julia came along but didn't last long. Julia is a bit more shy so when Kellie horned in just recently, well Julia was out. Kellie is now after him. Ashley has been put on the back burner also while Kellie moves in for the kill. A couple weeks ago she passed Brayden a note with her phone number telling him to call her. Then today Brayden comes home with another note from her "To Brayden, From Kellie...call me Saturday". OMG, they are in Kindergarten!

I asked Brayden if he'd like to call her to chat or maybe have her over to play and the child's face went beat red, his eyes lit up and he proclaimed "yes yes" with astounding glee. Hmmm, does somebody have a crush? Funny thing is, Brayden is going to summer camp and guess who might also be there since she's already attending the school. I think this love affair may go on for awhile.

I have a smitten Kindergartener!

 

It's Friday-how many Friday's have I missed here

The world has scooped me up this last month and taken me for quite a ride on this crazy roller coaster.  Honestly I don't remember where it all began but as far as my brain will take me it started with purchasing a new big girl bedroom set for my little girl.  She finally moved from the crib into a bed that was fit for Goldilocks.  We had gone so far as to take the crib rail off one side just so she could get used to sleeping in the bed without having a long way to fall out.  She did so well, we finally made the purchase.  Now I want to repaint and redesign her bedroom in all victorian.  Basically very pale pink and green and cream.  It's all in my head, now if I can just get the time.  I'll have to post some pictures of her set.  It's just beautiful.

Next came the passing of hubby's grandfather.  One thing after another affected him medically and it was just time to return home.  We are sad to see him go but glad he's no longer hurting.  He will be missed.

The following week we had our neighborhood garage sale.  We have roughly about 600 homes within our subdivision.  Many participate in this day as it is such an event.  People generally come from all over to see the goods up for sale.  It wasn't the greatest day for weather.  It started out this beautiful blue sky and sunny day and then the minute we opened the garage door, the clouds formed, cold rushed in and on came the rain.  We did manage to sell $300 worth of stuff so hey that's not bad.  We usually make about $500-$600 but we didn't have furniture to sell this year so all in all it wasn't too bad.  We did however turn right around and purchase a treadmill from my mom which didn't sell.  I couldn't believe it as it was in like new condition.  It's nothing fancy and certainly doesn't have all the funky gadgets most have nowadays but it's a great basic one.  My mom sold it to us for $50 so now were walking this uphill climb on it.  The kids ironically have used it more than us at the moment.

Let's see, what next.  Oh it was a certain little somebody's 4th Birthday this past Saturday.  We had about 25 join us and it was a really nice time.  Little miss shy girl warmed up after about an hour.  Stop by and check out the pics: http://PracticeWriter.com/vu/?4233F

In preparation for the garage sale and Shaylee's Birthday we have been cleaning and sorting our brains out.  Unfortunately there was such mess, we didn't get to everything but we are much closer to having a tidy house.

As for designing well it's been on hold while I get passed all this.  My EuroTopia launch will be completed over the coming weeks with the other 4 ensembles.  I also have a guest launch I am participating in for Roxy & Rocco.  Guess I need to get my tail feathers moving.

I am leaving tonight for a weekend with my mom.  Every once in awhile, I leave home for a little break away and spend a nice weekend with her.  This time, we are going to get massages and I'm getting a manicure while she gets a pedicure.  Afterward, it's out for a steak dinner.  I can't wait.  After this last month, I'm finally going to get some revive time.

Well that's the scoop on me.  I'm off to pack my bags:)

Here's to the Simpler Things in Life

Well, I've been thinking...ugh oh!  Sometimes I amaze myself with how much I think I can take on.  I pack my schedule, overboook and overextend myself and the things I really want to do always take a back seat.  I had a little scare this past week that brought on this thinking.

About a decade ago I was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat.  Nothing that was of great concern at the time.  I just dealt with the little flutters of my heart once in a while.  Over time, two and two added up and I started to notice a trend of caffeine and stress and not enough rest had a tendency of roughing up my heart a bit, I guess you could say.  Well over the last several months, I've been going non stop, committing myself to everything under the sun while already stressed out and while doing so, I gulped the pop.  Well, my heart didn't care for that too much and over the last few months, I noticed more activity with my heart.  Well as any stressed overly committed person would do, I ignored it and ignored it until this past week when I was hit with a major episode.  I felt my heart begin to flutter, then skip beats, then pound.  I broke out into a sweat as my heart rate slowed.  Beating my chest with my fist (yeah like I'm going to restart my heart doing that) I began to feel like I was going to pass out.  The thought crossed my mind that right then and there my life would end.  I immediately thought about my little boy who was home with me and tried desperately to keep it together and not pass out.  I splashed water on my face which didn't work and then called my husband to immediately come home and take me to the doctor.  The doctor wants me to have a blood test to check my cholesterol and thyroid and then he wants me to see the cardiologist but he doesn't believe it's anything serious.  Since last week, I've laid off the caffeine, rested more and conversed with others about it and came to the question, could it really be panic attacks?  Am I seriously panicked?  Well that very well could be.  I've since had a few flutters here and there but nothing out of the ordinary like that day last week.

So nothing like the feeling like your heart is going to stop right then and there in front of your child to really make you see how important the time here on earth is and how important it is to do what you really want to do.  As I considered leaving the custom boutique world, I chose not to right now because I love to create and sew and have tons of sketches that I want to see come to life.  There is pleasure in it for me so why give it up however I have decided to cut back on my committments.  In doing so, I've released myself from several groups I was in and after my next couple guest launches, I will not be doing anymore for awhile, well unless something really amazing crops up:).  I will spend less time on the computer chatting on my boards and more time doing what I love which includes spending more quality time with my children especially as summer draws near and my daughters first day of preschool approaches.  I'm giving myself until the end of the summer to see how my changes regarding eBay have effected me and to see just where my eBay life has taken me by that point.  Hopefully my sales will get stronger, I won't still be groupless, and I'll be able to consistently list by the time fall comes around, things that have been bouncing around in my mind.

So CHEERS to a new life for me and a heart that is happier:)

The Hairy Truth

A couple weeks ago I pondered whether to cut Shaylee's hair.  Well we did it.  After another 40 minutes a couple days later of trying to get knots out, some having to get cut out and some just not coming out no matter what, I loaded her up in the car and off we went to Kidsnips.  She was fine looking around until it was our turn then it happened.  Shaylee went into meltdown mode, cried the whole time even so much as doing some little screams when the lady wanted her head tilted.  Oh the drama, oh the torture!  Parents walking by in the mall gave me looks like if they could, they'd shoot me.  She had 12" cut off but unfortunately we couldn't donate to Locks of Love because of the massive knots and the damage to her hair.  She got to pick out some little toys from the treasure chest when it was all done which made her happy and out the store she went saying goodbye to everyone and happy has a clam.  It was like night and day.  She got out to the car and said "mommy this haircut is nice, it's really great"...why I oughtta!!!  So without further wait, here's some pics of Shaylee's very first haircut and I'm playing with Mrs Beastie (aka, the new camera) on those after shots on the couch.  With that huge lens, she's a very weighty camera hence her new name Mrs Beastie.

The Before:

The haircut. Look at that sad face:(
Even the lolly didn't work.

This is Shaylee's certificate again with the crying in the polaroid they took LOL

And here's the new improved Shaylee:

Post 7: Reached another goal this year

I waited so long for this little present.  Over a year to be exact and the glimmer of hope slowly dwindled by the waist side.  I dropped out of a Canon Photography group and a High Key Lighting group several months back because I really didn't think this was ever going to happen but it did.  First it was a knock on the door Monday right as I was walking out the garage door to leave.  As I opened the door a handsome gentlemen handed me a package.  I felt the squirm upon my fingers as I held the package knowing full well what was inside.  Here's what came:

Oh the joys of knowing I have a top of the line camera lens.  Wow how I can go so far with a camera lens.  As I played with it for a bit, zooming in and zooming out, I thought to myself how great it would be to have a camera attached to it LOL.  Well a couple days later, I go off to check the mailbox and I hear the rumblings of a truck going down our road.  I'm just about to my house, when I look back again only to see him slowing up as he comes near.  Oh wow, it's time.  The adrenaline pumps through my body in preparation.  The day I've waited for for so long now.  Mr UPS greets me with a smile chatting about the mess of roads we have (no thanks to the city for the slop job they did plowing).  Yeah Yeah, like a robber, I grabbed the package and started to move away.  Nice gentleman, but I've really got to go now.  I run in the house like a child who was just given the rights to the Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory, jumping up and down with utter glee.  As my 3 year old looks at me oddly wondering what has sent me into such excitement, I unwrap the package.  And there she was, almost glowing, my new Canon Digital Rebel XTi 10.1 megapixel camera, brand spankin new.

Oh and I guess I can't forget her companion on this trip to my house, the memory card.

I've been saving for a new camera, a backdrop and lighting and well phase one is now complete and yet another goal of mine for 2008 has also been crossed off.  My plan for the immediate future is to learn my fun new toys and take amazing pictures to enhance my custom boutique designs.  eBay will eventually become a memory but I will never forget how it got me started on this journey that I'm looking forward to.  At some point in the future, I will be going into photography.  I have always enjoyed capturing life's little moments and by that I mean children.  My dream is taking me to open my own photography business for children.  It's a couple years away at the very least but I'm looking forward to taking that journey.  But for now, I will start with getting click happy, while I have no clue what I am doing.  Here's my first pic I took with my new camera without so much as even opening the instruction manual.  My son Brayden was the target:

Part 5: Oh my, what will come of eBay

As I'm sure you know eBay sellers will be protesting the new changes to eBay regarding fees, paypal and feedback.  The blackout is scheduled to start the 18th and go for the whole week.  At this point in time, I don't feel this is going to change much with eBay and I will not be participating in the blackout for these reasons, however I will be taking this time off to finish my new designs and to support my fellow sellers who will be a part of the blackout.  Many buyers are doing the same.  So that said, I will see you all in a couple weeks. If you missed out on anything you were interested in that I had up for sale recently, check my etsy store as I generally move my listings to there: http://www.flattermefancy.etsy.com

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade flattermefancy.etsy.com

Post 4: The Chicago Auto Show

My husband and I decided to travel down to Chicago Tuesday afternoon for the Chicago Auto Show.  From our house, it took us 3 hours just to drive there, a drive that normally takes half that amount of time.  Between the snow falling and the sloppy mess on the roads, we literally traveled 30mph the whole way there.  The evening drive took us about 2 hours.  We were quite exhausted.  The show was nice but I can't say the same for the vehicles.  I'm in shock with the current state of gas prices, that all these companies can justify making cars with such low gas mileage.  I would say 85% had city miles to the gallon of only 16, some even went so far as to go down to 12.  Geez, my bicycle could go farther than that and doesn't even require gasoline LOL.

Irregardless, we did find 3 vehicles that we liked.

We were quite partial to the Saturn Vue Hybrid-our 1st choice.  Our biggest focus was looking for gas mileage and prices that weren't through the roof but having a vehicle good for the environment was an extra plus.  We also wanted to keep in mind the space inside a vehicle we need for children, strollers, luggage etc.

Our second choice went to the Nissan Rogue.

And lastly, even though I am unable to drive a car right now out of fear from a previous severe car accident (that wasn't my fault...must point that out LOL), I did really like the Kia Optima.  If I had to choose a car, this would be one of my choices.

Well those are our winners this year based off "best in show" LOL.  Course that doesn't say anything about crash test ratings or user reviews.

Part 3: Here's to the little things in life

Well first off I've joined Winkelf, another site to sell custom boutique items on.  Very similar to eBay but just another option for me.  I will be setting up my store very soon so now you will be able to find me at eBay, etsy, winkelf, my website and here on my blog:)

PLAYING THE NAME GAME ON EBAY:

Okay I'm the culprit.  After signing up at winkelf today, I realized everywhere I've gone I've had to use the name flattermefancy instead of the name I hold on eBay: flatter*me*fancy.  So to make everything consistent I changed my name today at eBay.  I'm officially flattermefancy...asterisks free:)  I'm actually glad I made that change because several times people have asked me about my business and I have to try and explain how my id is set up at eBay.  Now I can just say Flatter Me Fancy and be done with it.  So much easier, don't ya think?:)

Part 2: A Sad Farewell

Well unfortunately I had to say goodbye to MemoryLane Boutique. While the ladies there are an amazing bunch of sweethearts and I will miss them terribly, I have really set my mind on completing some lofty goals this year one of which is many more listings.  Unfortunately, I was one of the few actually listing over the last couple weeks which was quite disappointing.  There are really great designers there and I urge you to check them out.  Naturally life gets in the way sometimes for all of us getting new customs made but I've been there and really want to go beyond that now.  It's time for me to put all the other to-do's aside and focus on what I love doing and that's making customs.  I'm really looking for a group that lists often and consistently so I'm back to being solo for now until a group that fits in with my goals comes along.

Part 1:Let's talk about this, Let's talk about that

Goodness, I've been so busy listing items left and right.  I even neglected my little blog baby here.  I've missed her so as I've kept mental notes of all what I wanted to post about.  Where to begin.  Oh darn, they are all so exciting, I'll just post them on their own posts.  They all deserve a post of their own anyway LOL.

Well, I've been working my tail feathers off on customs.  I was determined to make this my year and what a run I've begun.  I didn't start walking, I didn't even jog, I went full force and oh my how it's paying off.  I couldn't be more thrilled.  Nobody ever said things come easy.  You really have to work hard to get what you want.  So I've started my run now.  Watch out custom boutique world!!!:)  I've got such big plans coming, they even kindof surprise me a little.

Saying goodbye to the locks

Kinda sad really.  My little princess Shaylee is going to be saying goodbye to her lovely locks in spite of the "no don't do it" I'm getting from family.  At some point something has to give.

At 3 years old, she can just about sit on her hair.  It's crazy how fast her hair has grown and it certainly looks pretty but is awful to maintain on such an active child.  Poor thing is waking up everyday to massive knots.  Knots that have a mind of their own and have become all consuming on this precious little head of hers and it certainly doesn't help she's acquired the habit of twisting her hair in and out of her little fingers.  Honestly I know it drives her nuts constantly swishing it out of her eyes too and it's not fun for mommy having to brush it.  Oh the tears that occur with those mischievous balls of hair.  It's just heartbreaking and not something I wish to do much longer.

I've been pondering taking the scissors to it, little curls and all.  At 3, I can't believe she already has at least 10" of hair that she could donate to...

Locks of Love

...but if we go through this, maybe we can make some other beautiful little girl just as fortunate as Shaylee was to have such a head full of beauty.  It pains me really to see it all go, but then again, it pains her more to keep all of it.

So here I sit, writing this, again wondering what to do, what to do.

MemoryLane Boutique

Well it's the new year and so much has gone on already in the last few weeks.  I said in my previous post I would post here everytime I completed one of my New Years Goals and a 3rd goal has been completed.  This goal I hadn't planned on so fast, but the opportunity was there and I couldn't help myself.  I have joined the amazing eBay design group: MemoryLane Boutique.  These girls are so fantastic and I couldn't be more thrilled to be a part of this group.  Be sure to search MemoryLane Boutique on eBay to find the sets available by the designers of this group.



On another note, I have been given the opportunity by the MemoryLane girls to design our new blog.  Be sure to check it often to see who our designers are, what's up for sale and new launches we have planned.  You can find the link over <------there in the left column.

I have been working very hard on doing some interior decorating.  Our colors are sage green, plum, and cream with dark brown wood accents.  Our guest bathroom has been completed and our family room is almost done.  A few more of the more expensive accents, and it will look like a model home, you know the kind you see featured in magazines.  I'm so thrilled.  It is one of my favorite rooms in our house right now.  It is so clean and peaceful, yes even with 2 kids and 2 dogs.  Imagine that!

New Years Resolutions

Well, it is now 8 days into the new year. Today is January 8th to be exact and the exact day I was born. Yep, today is my birthday. How did I spend this day you wonder. Well I completed New Years Resolution #2. Wow, I'm doing great for having completed 2 resolutions in 8 days. Now if I could complete them in 8 days, how is it they couldn't have been completed in 365 days of 2007? Was it that I just didn't put my mind to it? No time? Lack of interest in making it a priority? or all of the above? I'd have to say the last of them all fits best. So I thought it would be fun to keep an ongoing list of my resolutions that have been completed. So here you have it. There are 11 resolutions on my list. Well actually 13 but 2 are kind of combined to make the 11 so here are my first of the new year.

1) To get a steam cleaner

Completed on January 7th and let me just say I am thrilled to have this amazing piece of machinery that will take my carpets back to pre-dogs, pre-babies. I'm looking so forward to the transformation especially as I redecorate my family room, a wonderland of carpet disasters. What did we get:

Bissell PROheat 2X CleanShot Upright Deep Cleaner


2) To re-do my about me page on eBay in brighter colors with a small touch of euro

Completed on January 8th. What a load of work she was but she is now complete and looks absolutely lovely. Kind of gets me in the mood for spring. Stop by and take a peak when you get a minute.
http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=flatter*me*fancy

Well that's all for tonight. Stay tuned as I complete the rest of my New Years Resolutions.

Oh and as expected, Shaylee did in fact get sick...very badly sick.  Brayden's finally went away after a month.  Shaylee still has a yuck cough and is now off antibiotics.  We are waiting it out a bit to see what happens with this cough as Brayden's cough was the last to disappear and took a week after meds so here's to no more doc bills.  Keeping our fingers crossed Shaylee's just disappears.