My daughter..so cute..."Moooooom, PJ wrote on the sink with make-up!!!!"
My Son...so cute..."No I didn't!!"
I give you... Exhibit A:
Friday, September 23, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Some news...
I'm on on cusp of turning 34. My husband is 40-something and on the cusp of eventually being stuck on permanent disability at a far too young age to make enough to support even one person. This leaves us with an uncertain future, not that it matters for the two of us, but ..we have 3 kids. This puts me in unfamiliar territory. I live in the middle of no-where...although not considered "the country", it might as well be. The highest level of career opportunities here; is becoming manager at McDonalds (not that there's anything wrong with that).
So, I've made a potential ginormous mistake, or a huge step towards becoming a millionaire. Either way, my life (at the very least) is about to change dramatically. I've made the decision to go to college.
Oh yes...college, at 34. I'm awesome, and about to be in debt so far....that the light from being in the green...will take 5 million years to reach me.
I have a range of emotions going all at once...I feel like I'm insane mostly. Why in the world did I wait so long to do this? What if I can't do this? What if I do this...and it doesn't work out? I liked school, and was a good student...but, what if this is too difficult for me? BOO!
But, then there's the tiny part of my brain, much like a imagined split-personality...the part that thinks about things more thoroughly. This part of my brain tells me; "Everything will be fine, as long as you don't screw it up". Yeah, even my fake psychosis has an attitude. This part of my brain is logical, forward thinking and often rational. Which is why I know I should listen to...mainly because I rarely do.
Since I am good at, and have made money off my digital graphic skills...I intend to reach towards a career in that area. Of course, I have to take various other classes first...so let's hope I actually get to my goal.
For now I bid you all g'night/g'day...I'll update once I get something to update about. Cheers.
So, I've made a potential ginormous mistake, or a huge step towards becoming a millionaire. Either way, my life (at the very least) is about to change dramatically. I've made the decision to go to college.
Oh yes...college, at 34. I'm awesome, and about to be in debt so far....that the light from being in the green...will take 5 million years to reach me.
I have a range of emotions going all at once...I feel like I'm insane mostly. Why in the world did I wait so long to do this? What if I can't do this? What if I do this...and it doesn't work out? I liked school, and was a good student...but, what if this is too difficult for me? BOO!
But, then there's the tiny part of my brain, much like a imagined split-personality...the part that thinks about things more thoroughly. This part of my brain tells me; "Everything will be fine, as long as you don't screw it up". Yeah, even my fake psychosis has an attitude. This part of my brain is logical, forward thinking and often rational. Which is why I know I should listen to...mainly because I rarely do.
Since I am good at, and have made money off my digital graphic skills...I intend to reach towards a career in that area. Of course, I have to take various other classes first...so let's hope I actually get to my goal.
For now I bid you all g'night/g'day...I'll update once I get something to update about. Cheers.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Counting the days...
School here starts on the 16th of August. It can't be soon enough. With the extreme heat, my kids have been stuck in this house driving me insane. And trust me, it's not a long drive!
Our school has decided on a 4 day school week this year...trying to save money. I suppose in the end it will in fact save money, but at what cost to the parents & kids? The kids wont actually be going to school any longer than normal. So, with a day missing...I think they're actually missing a lot of actual school learning. Then the parents who work all week have to find a sitter for Mondays...ugh.
But, the school board decided this without any input from parents...No need for a vote either...they just know whats best for everyone...so.. it's bound to be a good idea...right?...*sigh*
Our school has decided on a 4 day school week this year...trying to save money. I suppose in the end it will in fact save money, but at what cost to the parents & kids? The kids wont actually be going to school any longer than normal. So, with a day missing...I think they're actually missing a lot of actual school learning. Then the parents who work all week have to find a sitter for Mondays...ugh.
But, the school board decided this without any input from parents...No need for a vote either...they just know whats best for everyone...so.. it's bound to be a good idea...right?...*sigh*
Friday, July 29, 2011
RE: My eBay Store for Bottle Cap Images
It took me an extra month to be sure, but I have in fact closed my eBay store (CLOSED). I've been keeping a good accounting of my costs verses my profit, and thanks to all of eBays constant fee increases...I'm actually not making a profit anymore. Although I do love making the images for people to use in their crafts project..If I'm not making a profit...it's not doing me any good to do it.
I will be available for custom orders or if anyone needs any of the images they've bought before. I just won't be using eBay to sell them anymore. eBay used to be the best way to sell, but as I said...the fee's just keep going up. I've already increased my prices twice to make up for the lack of profit...and it's getting to the point that noone will buy them if I'm twice the price of everyone else. Even though my images are the best quality you can find.
Just a little FYI: My costs include Kodak photo paper, HP photo quality inks (2 in the set to print photo images) and of course the minor supplies like envelopes and baggies for the images. At the price of $3.50 per set, eBay took 50 cents + the new fee on shipping costs. Then Paypal takes another 50 cents, leaving me with about $2.00 in profit before costs. After the costs of the paper and ink...I'm left with about 20 cents per order. This does not include the eBay fee's for listing and having a store.
I'm still selling on Etsy, and as although I make very little for the digital images, it's still more cost effective for everyone compared to eBay.
Sorry folks, but when it comes down to it...If I'm not making a profit...why should I do it?
I will be available for custom orders or if anyone needs any of the images they've bought before. I just won't be using eBay to sell them anymore. eBay used to be the best way to sell, but as I said...the fee's just keep going up. I've already increased my prices twice to make up for the lack of profit...and it's getting to the point that noone will buy them if I'm twice the price of everyone else. Even though my images are the best quality you can find.
Just a little FYI: My costs include Kodak photo paper, HP photo quality inks (2 in the set to print photo images) and of course the minor supplies like envelopes and baggies for the images. At the price of $3.50 per set, eBay took 50 cents + the new fee on shipping costs. Then Paypal takes another 50 cents, leaving me with about $2.00 in profit before costs. After the costs of the paper and ink...I'm left with about 20 cents per order. This does not include the eBay fee's for listing and having a store.
I'm still selling on Etsy, and as although I make very little for the digital images, it's still more cost effective for everyone compared to eBay.
Sorry folks, but when it comes down to it...If I'm not making a profit...why should I do it?
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
A Rant, Of Sorts...
I keep my online buying to a few select sites that I know offer some form of buyer protection.This post is about something I bought on Amazon. Let's go back a bit...
We have a giant TV. It's one of those over-sized big screen projection TVs. Hitachi 56 inch huge thing...We've had it for several years and from time to time we have to replace the projection bulb. Also known as the "projection lamp module". The bulb is not your average light bulb...NAY! It's not something I can just go buy at Walmart...or really...anywhere, for that matter.
It's a pretty bulb... iridescent and shiny.
The first time we paid over $300 for a bulb in it's plastic case (the module), to have it delivered from China through a Hitachi dealer. The second time we had to replace the bulb, we wised up...and looked around. I found one on eBay for about $100. Score! The only difference was that is was just for the bulb. No biggy, it only takes a few more steps to put the bulb into the plastic case we already have, then into the TV. It was also a generic version (not Hitachi).
Sooooo. About 2 months ago we needed another one...and I wised up some more. Since the last bulb didn't last nearly as long as the very first one we bought, I wanted to buy a real Hitachi bulb, not the knock-off. I found one on Amazon, from a company that sells them and nothing else. The price $65. Huzzah! I bought it and it was shipped the next day.
And here goes my rant. It was shipped FedEx. FedEx Smart Post to be exact. Smart Post is a cheaper way of shipping, FedEx ships the item to your closest FedEx warehouse. From there, it gets shipped basic USPS to your home.
My estimated delivery date was June 6th. It arrived at Earth City on the 2nd (that's my local FedEx warehouse). I watched the tracking number several times a day. And, it said it was DELIVERED on the 2nd. I waited. I watched. I waited impatiently. The 6th came and went. Still, I waited. Finally, on the 8th I called FedEx and said simply "My package was suppose to be here on the 6th...so, where is it?" The nice lady on the phone says "Oh my it should be there" I agreed. "I'll put a trace on it, and give you a call back" she says. I give her my phone number and wait. It arrived the next day at the post office. I never got that call back. Apparently FedEx drivers don't come "out here" unless they feel they have to.
I will never, and I really realllllllly mean never...ship with FedEx or buy anything that needs to be delivered by them...again. The item itself was perfect. But...FedEx...sucks.
We have a giant TV. It's one of those over-sized big screen projection TVs. Hitachi 56 inch huge thing...We've had it for several years and from time to time we have to replace the projection bulb. Also known as the "projection lamp module". The bulb is not your average light bulb...NAY! It's not something I can just go buy at Walmart...or really...anywhere, for that matter.
It's a pretty bulb... iridescent and shiny.
The first time we paid over $300 for a bulb in it's plastic case (the module), to have it delivered from China through a Hitachi dealer. The second time we had to replace the bulb, we wised up...and looked around. I found one on eBay for about $100. Score! The only difference was that is was just for the bulb. No biggy, it only takes a few more steps to put the bulb into the plastic case we already have, then into the TV. It was also a generic version (not Hitachi).
Sooooo. About 2 months ago we needed another one...and I wised up some more. Since the last bulb didn't last nearly as long as the very first one we bought, I wanted to buy a real Hitachi bulb, not the knock-off. I found one on Amazon, from a company that sells them and nothing else. The price $65. Huzzah! I bought it and it was shipped the next day.
And here goes my rant. It was shipped FedEx. FedEx Smart Post to be exact. Smart Post is a cheaper way of shipping, FedEx ships the item to your closest FedEx warehouse. From there, it gets shipped basic USPS to your home.
My estimated delivery date was June 6th. It arrived at Earth City on the 2nd (that's my local FedEx warehouse). I watched the tracking number several times a day. And, it said it was DELIVERED on the 2nd. I waited. I watched. I waited impatiently. The 6th came and went. Still, I waited. Finally, on the 8th I called FedEx and said simply "My package was suppose to be here on the 6th...so, where is it?" The nice lady on the phone says "Oh my it should be there" I agreed. "I'll put a trace on it, and give you a call back" she says. I give her my phone number and wait. It arrived the next day at the post office. I never got that call back. Apparently FedEx drivers don't come "out here" unless they feel they have to.
I will never, and I really realllllllly mean never...ship with FedEx or buy anything that needs to be delivered by them...again. The item itself was perfect. But...FedEx...sucks.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Holy Pool....the Finale...
An update on the pool drama.
I found a pool on craigslist. Unlike 90% of the people who roam the internet, I have never bought (or even cared about) anything on craigslist. Aside from watching the Lifetime Networks made-for-tv-movie about the Craigslist Killer, I rarely even remember the site is out there. I have searched for things before, but never found anything worthwhile. I find it irritates me to have to physically go get something and not have someone ship it to me. I may be getting lazy in my "old age". I digress.
...I found a pool on Craigslist. Actually, I found several. But, only one stood out and seemed it wasn't a crappy pool someone was asking too much for. It was a bit bigger than the last two we've had (a bonus), and came with a ground cover (it's a tarp, don't get excited), ladder, chemicals, and such. So, I did what I always do....I Googled. I found the same pool on the Intex website. Our old pool was 10' x 30", and the one for sale is 15' x 42". I thought to myself; "Awesome, kinda bigger pool...kids are getting bigger...yay me!" *click the link and see the pictures for full effect* I also note the price on various sites and, after throwing out the inhumanly high price of $688, the average price is about $350. The craigslist guy wants $100. Sweeeet!!!! Long-story/Short....we bought it.
Now came the chore of setting up the "easy-set" pool. Soooooo misleading, FYI. Once the tarp is spread out, I realize this pool is a bit larger than I thought...actually 3 times the size I had thought. Oh well, it's here...set up and full of water now. Now the kids have tons of room...friends can come swim...happy swimming pool dance of joy.
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