Life...And Goals For The Week

When I think of life the things that come to mind right now at this very moment are-hard, annoying, unfair, etc. Everything seems to be hitting me very hard these past few days. Milo is being very very difficult to say the least, I'm sure my neighbors don't appreciate it but hopefully they understand (they have a little girl the same age that I often hear and it seems like we're going through some of the same issues). My etsy shop is doing..well okay I suppose, I've had a few sales for the new year and my pictures are improving a lot sometimes I just wish it were easier but then again you get out what you put in right? I have my own place, don't get me wrong I love it, I'm just starting to realize how much I'm going to have to make to actually be able to keep it and live a stable life. That gets me to this point, I've decided I need a job...at least part time, for both my living situation and my sanity. I think I need a little break from Milo every now and then (we're together basically 24/7). Don't get me wrong I love it but when there's no one there to help you who do you go to when it gets to hard and you need a helping hand? But I guess that's just life though isn't it?
Sorry for the little rant. I suppose it's just easier to write things down then actually talk to people about them (for me anyway).

Now on to my goals for the week!
1. Figure out sizing for a shirt I will be putting in the shop (hopefully this week!)
2. Organize things for taxes
3. Look for a job (already started on that one)
4. Work on more soap! And getting some in the shop (packaging also!!)
5. Finish reupholstering the living room chair

I finished up the pdf last night! I'm soooo happy with how it turned out and can't wait to do more in the near future! Putting it up in the shop today, hopefully it goes well!

Stretching

Right now my ears are at 1". In this picture I'm holding a 2" tunnel, of course I wouldn't go that big but I really really would like to go up a bit. The thought of this is both exciting and terrifying. I haven't stretched my ears in quite some time, and I have gone to fast in the past and torn my ears (OUCH! Never again). The next size up that I have is 1 1/16" and it's quite a stretch from 1", still trying to decide what to do and how to do it, it will take some time but I think I'm up for another stretch.

Now onto my goals for the week.
1. Finish up the chairs for my dinning room table
Done. Well sort of, two are totally finished and the other two are half finished I still need to replace the wood :/ But thankfully there's only two of us so the chairs don't need to be done this second (procrastinating??). They will however be done by next week for sure.

I might just have to find some other chairs to reupholster to go with my formica table! These are just so darn cute with my little round white table!
2. Figure out how to write up a pdf patter the cowl
Pattern-done
Pictures-done
Pdf-not done. Still working on it and hope to have it all put together by the end of the night if I can figure it all out (I'm a technological idiot).
3. Getting a new item up in the shop.
This goal was talking about these little cuties

I also was able to get some other things up in the shop that I've been putting off including the owl trivets and baby hat (I posted about this week) and a reversible custom skirt listing I've been putting off for far to long.

And soap!!! I finally tried making goats milk soap (with success!)

All in all this week was pretty good (I even ended up making a shirt for myself today). But it could have been better. This upcoming week I'm going to challenge myself more.

Soap

Sooooo it's been awhile since I whipped out the supplies and made soap (far to long). Recently I got the urge to start making it again even though I still have tons left over from my last adventure.
One of the reasons I put it on hold was because it never really took off in my shop, even though I sold some locally to some wonderful ladies I was very discouraged. That and I was being overwhelmed by soap everywhere. So I gave most of it away to friends and family.
The urge came back to me not to long ago, although I can't remember why. I decided to test out goats milk soap and order some essential oils to make more scents (unlike before where I only had a few). The oils are on their way (hopefully they get here soon!) and I tried out a couple batches with goats milk last night. The first batch went very well, then I got a little overconfident and decided to try out a second using goats milk aloe vera and honey! It was a lot of fun making it but when I cut it up this morning it was still a little watery, kind of gooey on the outside but super dry and hard on the inside. I have NEVER had this happen so I have no idea what is going on!!! It's a very beautiful soap and smells really good also (it actually looks kind of like pumpkin pie). I just hope it turns out well and I don't have any problems with it.
But then again you live and learn right??
Batch 1-Goats Milk Soap

Batch 2-Goats Milk, Aloe Vera and Honey Soap

I can't wait to try this soap out! And eventually have it up in my shop :)

Agg only a couple more days to finish up my pdf!! It's going well so far so I have high hopes. The pictures are all set and so is the pattern...I just hope I can figure out how to put it all together!
Off to get ready and brave the snow! Not to bad right now but I'm sure it'll get worse.

Better...

Things are finally starting to come together, maybe I should watch what I say so I don't jinx myself!
I was able to visit 3 (yes 3!!) of the people I love today and get some grocery shopping done all before 1!! Usually I don't see anyone, especially in the winter. I'm usually a hermit and do things by myself but when it's cold I try not to plan things with people to much so I don't have to go out if I don't need to (even though I usually end up bored and going to the thrift store by myself :/).
Milo is getting back onto his regular sleep schedule (FINALLY!!!) and went down last night around 8...and woke up at 6 (like his regular sleep schedule). Even though I had my alarm set at 6 I was def not prepared for this! It's been nice "sleeping in" until 7:30 the past few weeks and it's soooo dark at 6!!!! But it's for the best.
We were out the door and headed to Woodmans by 8:30, I'm not sure how but when we got there (probably half an hour away from where we live now) time flew by and it was already quarter to ten. So off to my cousins house to take some pictures of her little man in some hats I made up awhile ago.

It was nice seeing her, even for the short amount of time we were there.
Then off to my grandparents for a quick hello. Its always nice seeing them and I'm never in the area. The grandma food is always a plus :)
After that I went thrifting with one of my good friends and picked up a wool army blanket for a very decent price.
Even though I was only able to see each person for about an hour it was really nice, I miss everyone and sometimes take for granted how many wonderful people I have in my life. I just wanted to take the time to say I love you all!

And now to finish off with some awesome news, I got some goats milk today and plan on making some soap tonight! Super excited and can't wait! I also have my oils coming (no later than next Tuesday) and can't wait to get soap back in my shop! Pics tomorrow!

I got a few more items into my shop today also, keeping up with my goals and it's making me feel better about things everyday :)

Does it ever end???

So Milo is about to turn 3 and he's getting sassier by the minute! Every day is a constant struggle with him. I understand that it's not going to be easy but man would it be nice for a little break or to have him help out cleaning up his toys...something...anything!?!
It may be the fact that we just moved...and then there was Christmas, and my bff visiting...everything was thrown out of whack and I never thought it would be this hard to try and get it back on track.
As I type he's in his room for nap time...not napping but still in his room. I suppose we're on our way back to the way things used to be. I just wish it was easier.

Sorry for the little vent, I just have been having a rough couple of weeks. Good news today though! More items are up in the shop including these fancy fellas

And this little project I've had in my head for quite some time now


P.s. Still keeping up on all my goals!!

Goals For The Week

1. Finish up the chairs for my dinning room table
Here's a before picture

After picture (done in red vinyl)

I have two finished already and need to get a couple pieces of wood so I can fix up the other two and finish them off. I also have a chair I have to finish up for the living room that I hope to get finished this week.

2. Figure out how to write up a pdf patter for this bad boy cowl

Hopefully that won't be to hard of a task (see I'm keeping up on my new years goals yay!).

3. Getting a new item up in the shop. It's a secret but you'll see it soon enough :)

I am doing very well with keeping up on things and becoming more organized, granted it's only the 4th day of the new year. I don't think it will be as hard as I thought it would be.

Tomorrow I will be taking pictures for my sister and future brother in laws engagement announcements! Super excited about that. I am also very pleased with how my pictures are coming along. Look at this fabulous find I finally was able to take a picture of today

As much as I would love to keep it I think it will be in my shop soon.

Milo has been a handful since the move then christmas and new years. He's not taking his usual afternoon nap and is very very emotional and cranky because of it. I've been very frustrated and lost lately but I'm hoping it will get better (I mean it can't get much worse). We just need to get back into the groove of things. Sometimes I really really wish there was an easy button that would make everything fit into place.

I Never Liked Resolutions

Resolution-a solution, accommodation, or settling of a problem, controversy, etc.

I don't feel like I have problems I need to fix. I have things I would like to do (not necessarily change or fix). So instead I have goals for this year, I had goals last year and I don't even remember them so I am writing a list this year to keep track of what I need to accomplish.

I am happy with my life but I still feel like I need to grow up in a way, be more organized and figure things out and make it stick. Here are some of my goals for the year, I'm already off track due to some over enjoyment on new years eve but starting tonight (I'll probably be up all night working on things) I will work on my goals.

1. Keep track of EVERYTHING, organize and run my business like...well a business, not just something I'm going to forget about and leave behind someday. This is what I want to do and this is what I am going to do for my career, I need to realize that.
2. Work on my relationships with people. I will admit I have a hard shell in certain situations. Maybe I will finally go on a date, not just hang out with guys and view them as my friends, I need someone there for me and as much as I hate to admit it I can't do everything on my own.
3. Finish up the apartment and get it looking decent. It's not horrible right now but it does need the finishing touches (like putting the clothes in the closet/dresser and not having them lay on the dryer forever). It's slowly coming together and I love it.
4. Work on promoting my etsy shop, keeping up on adding/making items and keep up on my blog (a "resolution" I had last year).
5. Writing down my ideas instead of blowing them off and thinking I will write/sketch them down later, it never happens and I should know that by now. I plan to carry a sketch book with me everywhere I go.

That is all I can think of right now. I need to print out a list and put it up somewhere that I will be able to see it everyday and keep it in my mind that I need to do these things even if I don't feel like it.

My etsy shop has improved a lot since I opened it, better pictures, more items and more of a variety. I would like to stick mostly to the eco friendly and natural view I have and recycle as much as possible. I plan to get back into soap making and ordered some oils yesterday that I am very very excited about. I still plan to make plugs, but mainly made to order so I don't waste any supplies or time (not that I have, but it just seems to make more sense this way). I really want to get into doing more clothes and have some friends who are willing to help me with it (boys clothes and modeling). I will also be putting some knitting/crochet patterns up in the shop in the near future that I am excited about.

I am very excited but also nervous about the new year, no more putting things off and everything is going to be organized. I hope you all have luck with your goals and even though sometimes it feels like there's no hope, just remember in the back of your mind that there is always hope for everyone in every situation and you can pull through.