Making Changes

I quit blogging because I felt like my blog wasn't really a reflection of me. I wanted a new name and a new look. It's taken me for.ev.er to come up with a new blog name. All my ideas were already taken. I was sitting in front of the computer the other night and the name frugal farmer came to me. Amazingly, it was available. So this is my new home for now.

I should have lots of time to blog now. Olivia and Paxton both decided to go to public school this year so we're no longer a homeschooling family. It feels so different without them here all day. It was really hard for me to give up the control and turn them over to strangers, but they are both doing well in the school setting.

Sawyer is the only kid home now and he spends most of the day at Papaw's house. I've told Jody it's time to have another baby, but he is still in denial. Sometimes I think I must be crazy to want another baby, but I always have that feeling that someone is missing. I guess time will tell...

Speaking of more kids, my 12 year old niece moved in with us back in June. The story behind it is messy and depressing and I don't feel like going there right now. Gabi is here until at least June of next year and we will decide if we want to continue with the arrangement. She and Olivia butt heads a lot. I messed up birth order so it's to be expected, but it makes me sad. I'm hoping it will get better with time. *sigh*

On to more chipper news. The company Jody worked for shut their doors in the middle of the night and filed for bankruptcy in July. It came as a complete shock to everyone. I can't say it surprised us because of the business decisions that were being made over the last few years, but the way they went about it was wrong. Jody lost his vacation pay and health savings which equalled somewhere around $2000. That's a lot of money for poor folks like us. There is some hope that we may get some of the money back in bankruptcy court, but only time will tell. For now Jody is drawing unemployment and junkin. I don't know what we would do if he wasn't so resourceful.

My business is continuing to grow. I've set up booths at several different sales in the area and sell some of my items at a local store. Last week I signed on a partner. We are getting an embroidery machine and expanding our market. It's going to be an adventure and I'm excited to have a friend along for the ride.

I guess that's my life in a nutshell. I have so many things that I've thought about blogging. I'm excited to have a new place to share my thoughts.

Back to the beginning

Well where should I begin? I went to Nebraska in October to help my sister pack her house for a move to North Dakota. While I was there, I went to get my hair cut with my favorite hair stylist. I was telling her about my sewing obsession and desire to sell my work and she mentioned that she had a baby boutique business that she was no longer interested in running. She still had all kinds of supplies and products left and was interested in selling them. We scheduled a time to get together and go through everything. She named a price and I said yes. I came out as the proud new owner of Big Fat Baby. I've had so much fun setting the business up. I've done two craft shows so far and have more in the works. I bit off more than I can chew with designing a website so it's still a work in progress. I have so many ideas and plans and dreams. And it's great that Jody is so supportive with everything. Not every husband could handle the house looking like a fabric store exploded in it all the time.

Resolutions

As the new year begins, I've made a few goals for myself:
1. Have family scripture study and family prayer every night.
2. Journal at least once a week.

I'm all about keeping it simple. I don't want to get myself too overwhelmed.