Pretty Pants

Bentley picked up his pants the other night & while holding them said, "My pants are pretty."

UH oh.

I KNOW he didn't get that from me! I don't love my public pants right now.

Coming Up Short

This is not a pity-party. This 'just is what it is'...

No matter what I do each day I fail in some area or another. No matter what time I get up and how much energy I exert I fall short. It's overwhelming.

For the first time ever I am getting customers who want re-do's because I am making mistakes. A lot of them. For dumb reasons... except my brain is SO full all the time and there's so much going on all the time. Today I realized I put vinyl on a board upside down. Thankfully it was an easy fix to move the photo holders affixed on the back upside-down to make it all right side up.

Perhaps someone can turn my brain right-side-up and I can function again.

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

Nightmare Computer Part Deux:

After I downloaded the trial of Illustrator cs6 over the weekend I couldn't find a download for Cut Studio (which I need for my vinyl cutter) anywhere. I had to wait until this morning (Monday) to call Roland to ask about that. I quickly found out that they don't make a download for cs6 and they won't have one until late December. That wasn't even an option!

So, then I called Adobe. They had an hour wait. Glorious! You know why they have an hour wait?? Because they are monumental and the best in the world at what they do. I soon found out that my last version was cs3 and they don't have downloads for that version anymore. I told them I could even get cs5 and it would be compatible with my software (Cut Studio) but he told me they didn't have downloads for anything but cs6 now. After he crushed my hope I couldn't even keep the tears from coming. It felt over. You know how I mentioned that world-wide company that's best at what they do... and they couldn't get me a link to download anything but CS6. I have a hard time believing that!

I called my friend sobbing. My hope was gone and I couldn't even fathom up another option. If I took my old computer and the new one to the Apple store MAYBE they could transfer the broken old version of cs3 over but I couldn't do that with the migration assistance. That option is a 48 hour commitment and I have orders due tomorrow. Another option maybe would be to have Apple try to connect the old comp to the internet (problem to begin with two times over) but last time they did that it only lasted a week. THEN, if they could I would have to download missing plug-ins that I accidentally deleted last week when cleaning my hard drive up.  That was the best option I could think of. It was then I thought to call Bro Willis again to see if he had any advice. I was half teary on the phone which revealed my instability . He told me since I had a license from before he could get me the cs5 download. Yay, the light returned. For real. I felt calm. I called Roland one more time to make certain their download was compatible and it was. The tech even showed me where to find it on their site.

Now cs5 is downloaded and Cut Studio is back on. I did a test run and we are back up. After 6 long, hard, exhausting days. I feel elated.

For real, I am not a candidate for remodeling. When things aren't in their proper place and things don't function I fall apart. This trial was especially stressful because this is the busiest time of year for me and this business sustains our lives. By this morning I was merely "hanging on" to the knot at the end of that rope!

So grateful it's over. So grateful for those who support us! <3

We're On Holiday?

I'm quite thankful for the marquee at the Intermediate school. I drove by it yesterday & noticed it said the kids are out of school all next week.

I didn't know that!! Haha Yay for vacation.

My BIG Mac problems

I so dreaded the day when I'd have to get a new computer. Last January when Apple told me I'd eventually have to replace my dinosaur I just had hope that I'd be remarried before that happened. For the financial strain alone and the headache of the entire process. On my Mac I use Adobe Illustrator and a software for my vinyl cutter called Cut Studio. On Halloween all hell broke loose. I thought I had it fixed with connecting to the internet via wireless... that lasted one week to the day then went out. I just want to jot down how EVERY step of this process I have hit opposition. I can not believe how monstrous this has been for me and it's the fact that this is central to my business and is vital to income that we need that makes the situation SO incredibly stressful.

Halloween- internet stopped communicating with my computer via usb hot spot

2 days later Apple Store- associate told me he'd never seen anything like it (the issues) and he couldn't get it to connect wirelessly to their network or usb or via ethernet. After an hour his boss did something and it connected wirelessly. I came home and ordered wireless internet through ATT.

ATT painted a pretty & lovely picture of how easy it would be to just "switch" on the service election day and didn't mention I would need to be home and that a man would dig my back yard up and paint a bright orange line back there or be in my home (no shower for me and no make-up) for over an hour. I was told on the phone I could have a modem OR router. I secured a router but was told by dude that I HAD to have a modem. So I got one then found out it wasn't compatible to the ATT network. Had to go the next day and purchase a modem/router.

Connected to internet Wednesday (week after Halloween). Worked fine for one whole week.

Week later I lost all connections to internet on my computer. It wouldn't connect wirelessly, by usb, or by ethernet direct. I called att to make sure I was doing it right and had two different departments tell me I had the wrong number. After talking to the right girl she confirmed what I already knew and it wasn't their device but my dinosaur. :(

I then had lined up help to have men in my church who know what they're doing help me. No one could figure it out.

Jared got wind of my problem and offered to go with me to help me get a new one.

Thursday I was going to do that & was told to back up everything onto an external hard drive. Time Machine told me if I wanted to use the hard drive I plugged in that I'd have to wipe it clean. I had files on it and pictures so I went and bought a new one.

Got home and attempted to use Time Machine to back it up and it failed continuously three times. It was then that I decided to just save certain files and photos. 2 hours alone just for my pics.

I was also cleaning up my computer that day as well and somehow DELETED core components to my Illustrator program which in turn shut me down for business until I could connect to the internet to download plug ins for it. That computer won't connect. I haven't been able to cut vinyl since Thursday.

That night we went to Best Buy to get an iMac and they were sold out. They are in a transition and are out of the old model and waiting for the new to be released. ALL of Houston are sold out.

I laughed.

We listened to all of our options then we made a purchase.
Late that night a nice man came over and attempted to help me get the old one hooked to the internet and also get my new system set up. 3 hours later we still weren't connected to the internet and when he left he set up the old computer to transfer over to the new. That was 11:30pm.
He also told me he'd never seen anything like it. I should get a reward for screwing up my computer so bad. :(
14 hours later that transfer was still telling me "14 minutes remaining" and after asking I found out it had failed. I attempted that migration process 3 more times and each time failed. Each time I tried transferring over less and less but it didn't matter.
Went to bed Friday night with nothing new accomplished except I did turn on the new computer and start working from scratch to re-build settings and get myself familiar with it.
Saturday I tried the migration assistant again. Fail. Again. Fail. Again. Fail. I was totally done. Want to throw my hands up.
Got the suggestion from Bro Willis to download a temporary file of Illustrator that is good for 30 days then we can figure out getting my permanent one on in that time. Tried to download that three times and failed. A trial version! I researched and found my new system is compatible so it didn't make any sense. But in true fashion it kind of does! Everything has gone against me every step of the way. Well, there have been equally as good blessings along the way too.
I finally found a temporary version that I downloaded a different way that finished uploading at about 10 tonight (Saturday). Next I have to figure out how to get Cut Studio downloaded on here without a cd drive. I have the cd download for it but this new system doesn't have a cd drive. I can't cut vinyl until I have it.
Tonight I picked up the Office download from Jared & Shannon so I can get my paperwork back up.
Slowly progress is being made.
I still need to get my license from Adobe for my version of Illustrator. It was initially a download from online so I don't have the number I need. Of course.
I can see in the near future when I am up and running again that this new set up is going to be bigger and better than ever before and will be worth all of this I'm sure.

I have to say that my visiting teacher and friend, Tiffanie, has given me support this entire time. She calls me often to check on my computer progress and has offered help and solutions everyday. Her husband has been on the phone with me regarding issues and has given me advice and help. Brother Willis (from church) took time away from his family after staying late at work Thursday to help me with the beast. He was so kind. Jared and Shannon gave me such a touching gift of my new computer. They enabled me to provide for my family. The most touching part about what he did was that he didn't skimp on anything. He picked out the nicest equipment. That's what penetrated my heart. He gave me something that doesn't benefit him at all AND he incurred the debt of the purchase. He didn't cut corners and didn't skimp on cost. I feel inadequate of such a generous gift and it taught me a lot. I am so grateful. The kind acts I have received go beyond the opposition that is so CLEARLY evident in my life the past week. There is a force that does not want me to do this. Makes sense. I am a stay at home mom and this is my livelihood to support my babies. If I can't do this at home I have to go outside the home.
As I type I have two downloads going to restore programs.
Slowly and surely.
I WILL be back up and running soon.
I WILL.
I still love Macs, even when mine is a BIG problem.

Lorax App Gone Mad

Bentley has been on my phone, on The Lorax app. Can you tell?? :D

Mi Vida Loca

If you take medication for your heart I advise you not to read this post. 

If repeatedly using the word "then" is annoying to you, then,  please skip this post. :D

My day started at 5:15am. 

I showered and did my hair then read scriptures and said my prayer. THEN I stepped into the craziness.  I couldn't even wrap my brain around how to do it all but I prayed for help and moved forward. 

I printed out name-tags for an order to take to Mardel's to laminate along with a poster for Cali that was due today. Thank you for telling me last night child. ;)

Then I created 26 different decals on the computer for a customer who needed them this morning (she found out yesterday about a craft fair she got accepted to this weekend) and printed them out on the vinyl cutter. Then, I cut the name-tags out and got them ready to go. Then I left to take Ken & Cali to school. I ran into the gas station to get a soda and when I got out and looked in my mirror I realized I didn't even have my make-up on. That has NEVER happened. That's one indicator that I'm losing my mind. I dropped the girls off then went home and fed the baby and started loading my car with left-over items from the craft fair last month to sell in a boutique. It was at that point I realized 4 of the boards had spots that were missing the protective coat on top. I touched them all up and finished loading the car with the items. Then, it was time to peel the vinyl from the 26 decals and put application tape on them all. I also had to create and print off my customer's last three invoices. When that was all done I got Bentley's bag, that I asked his big sister to pack, ready to take to his dad's house today. I put ON my make up and got the boy ready. Today was Kensington's last day of school as she is going to be home-schooled from now on so she called and asked me to bring her three text books from home. Why not?! I'm heading to the school anyway after I laminate a poster so I will just drop it off then. During this time I also had the girl's dad text me and asked if we could still meet today after he cancelled last night. At that point it was 9 something and they were all at school and my day was nutso so ummm.... 

The baby and I ran to Mardel's, bought some glue sticks because we are out at our house of course, laminated our things then went to the school. We pulled Cali out for the afternoon, turned in the poster and the text books! Then I got a text from the baby's dad asking me to bring his jacket! Doh!!! That was at home! Also during this time my customer was texting me asking me to meet her with her decals so we figured out how to swap goods. It was completely nuts! HOWEVER, at this point it was 11 and the chaos was mostly done. I was able to do everything that HAD to be done, got the baby's jacket, dropped the order off, and was on my way to take Bentley downtown to his dad's. 

After we dropped him off, Cali and I headed to Porter, Texas (I just like using Texas in my sentence) to drop off our car load of items to the boutique. It was about a 30 minute drive from where we were. In their parking lot I took inventory of what I was leaving there since I had NO time to do this before hand. Cali helped me peel old price tags off as we sat there. Things that surely should have been done beforehand. ;)  I told them I would have to email them the list with the prices. Who does this!? I feel like I'm blown with the wind. We left there and I decided since I hadn't eaten anything all day that we would actually go sit down and eat. And breathe!  I had hoped when I saw Cracker Barrel off the freeway that it was the one my friend worked at and hoped she was there today. I was so happy to find her there so we were able to chat for a bit after our meal. 

This was a good girl bonding day for Cali & me. :) I pulled her out of school because she has super anxiety and is a worry wart and since she had prepared and told her afternoon teachers that she wouldn't be there today then her Dallas plans changed, she freaked out! She cried yesterday for approximately 3 hours about  how her teachers would think she lied about going to Dallas and how they would be upset. REALLY?! All of my practicality didn't seem to make a difference and this morning when she asked if I could still get her out early I wasn't willing to fight the battle. Guess what, I don't care today.  She had already made up her work! 

After we left we rushed back to our side of town and was late picking up Ken from school. We got home at 4:15 and I found a piece of wood in the garage and started painting it for a present for Bella to take at 5:30 to a birthday party. After putting two coats of paint on the board I called a customer to straighten out a problem with her new order. It was while I was on that call that Bella informed me the party started at 5:00 and not 5:30. Oh great, it was time to go now! haha 

Dropped her off and informed the friend that I would bring her present when I picked Bella up (at 7, not 7:30 hehehe) and then I went through the car wash and caught up with someone I care about while getting my Stella clean. Then, came home and did the vinyl for the present and got that ready to go. Then I loaded the previous post's pics on here via my phone then went and got Bella. I'm now back home and am so tired, I feel like it's midnight. I still need to do a few things for work but it shouldn't be a late night. 

Tomorrow isn't as bad but it's pretty busy as well. Good grief! My life is ridiculous. Today was a good day though believe it or not. I have felt very happy! 

Ghetto Rigged

Seriously, I ghetto rig everything. That's not an offensive term, right? 

Last week when my world started to be turned upside down my little safety pin that holds my car seat buckle up disappeared,  I can't even express how much that drove me mad. It drove me nuts every time my buckle would slip ALL the way down to the floor when I would get in and out of the car. The button that was originally there broke long ago and I replaced it with a cute silver safety pin with cutesy ribbon. 

This week I found one tiny gold ugly safety pin. Works like a charm! 

Now, my buckle is just where it's supposed to be. Nice and in my reach! :D

Do you notice anything unique about this coffee table? Does anything look out of place? 

Probably not, right! 

That's because when Bentley flipped it over and onto a toy and put a HOLE in it I realized I could super-glue this coaster right over the hole and no one would ever know! 

haha Works for me! Better than an ugly hole! 

I currently rigged Brae's bed frame but don't have a pic for that. My computer is rigged to the hilt. The screen is broken and the battery is blown so it's now run through a desktop monitor being plugged in all day. Grateful it works! 

Brain exercise is good! 

hope

“Hope can be a powerful force. Maybe there's no actual magic in it, but when you know what you hope for most and hold it like a light within you, you can make things happen, almost like magic.”
― Laini Taylor

Election

I wish I could convey how heartbroken I feel over the election. I believed in  Mitt Romney so much. I know he was qualified to lead our country into better days. I love that he's a moral and good man that values the same principles I value of marriage, family & hard work just to name a few. I sat and watched the results last night and felt sick. I bawled like a baby. You know the ugly, loud cry that occurs when something really hurts. In one way I am not surprised at all that the "majority" want Obama because that's how wicked our society is but the other side of me is shocked because I thought Romney had a real shot!

I couldn't go to sleep last night I was so upset and when I woke up this morning I felt sick to my stomach. It was kind of like a bad dream.

What is really incredible with this whole process was that when I prayed for Romney before Election Day came I felt the Spirit of the Lord testify that it was good. And last night as I was sitting on my couch watching the results come in and as Obama pulled ahead I felt the Spirit so strongly. And as he got more and more I felt the Spirit even more. That means everything to me. It shows me that no matter what the Lord is with me and He knows. And this family is His. No matter how ugly it continues to get, we will be Ok because we are in His hands.

This election felt like good verses evil to me. Good didn't win. This time. We are in the last days and scripture is being fulfilled and ultimately I know good has already won. I am so excited for the day when we have exclusive peace. 

.

Teacher Conferences

Yesterday the kids were able to stay home for Election Day and for Parent/Teacher Conferences. I was able to go in and meet with Bella's teachers and it was such a sweet experience. School has always come pretty easy to the older three girls but Bella has struggled a lot in the past two years. I was humbled before even going in to talk to her teachers because I was bracing myself for what they may say. I recognize the need for us to do more at home to help and went in with that attitude. What I received was far greater than I was prepared for. Right away her teacher wanted to tell me one of her "Bella stories". She told me she has lots. Both ladies raved about  how sweet Bella is and how good she is. They told me about this time that the kids in her class found out Bella's password for an online math game they play and a bunch of them logged on and got points for Bella. The next day when Bella got her name on the board for high points in the math game and was going to get a candy prize she burst into tears and went in the hallway for quite a while before she would tell the teacher that she felt it was dishonest to accept credit, points and the candy because she didn't do the work. Her teachers used the words "honest, integrity, character, hard worker" to describe her. I truly feel that these teachers "see" my girl. They told me not to judge Bella off the grades I see because she is working her butt off. They told me to love her and encourage her. Feels very different from last year. I was so touched by such a simple gift yesterday. I'm so thankful for good teachers who love their students. We are blessed.

She is my quirkiest girl by far but she has a golden heart and 

I love her so much!! 

Halloween