Keeping Busy

I have been working on this project for weeks.  Some days it is only 15 minutes here, another week it might be a few hours.  But this is the result of my effort.  I haven't even counted them really, but I had over 750 prints the last time I ordered for my cards.  And I had a couple other stacks of prints I hadn't gotten to yet.  Now they are all cards.  Finally. And this is the inventory stock-hold for our newest website adventure.

Genius Golfer, in one of many irons in the fire--so to speak--is developing a website to sell my photo cards for me.  He told me my job is the creative work and manufacturing end.  He will take care of the marketing and shipping.  So this is the beginning of what I hope is a profitable--without being a time sucking--first time (for me) entrepreneurial effort.

At least that would give me the hope someone else might like to buy and use my cards.  Though GG's plan for pricing is too much for me to completely agree.  But I am cheap.  I know that.  If I think I can make something, I'm not going to pay money for it from someone else.  But his thought was "a lot of people don't want to bother making it themselves...and you need to do more than cover your costs."  I guess that is true.  But I can't bring myself to charge $10-$20 for a set of handmade photo cards.  He didn't even flinch.

I guess that is why he is the marketing guy.  I'll stick with shooting pictures and making cards...just like I always have done.  And if he can get something going to generate a little spending money on the side for me, I'd love that.  That was the only reason I even tried to sell them in the first place--to recoup my expenses and make a little pocket change too.  Here's hoping for more than pocket change.  Good thing he is in charge.

The website is nearly done--he's been waiting for me to get the sets figured together so the customers can see just what they are buying...while I like to call them "Spring floral cards" and you get what you get and you don't throw a fit.  But internet buyers want to see JUST what they are buying. I would want the same when i buy online, so I can't fault him for making me figure it out ahead of time.  But it does add one more layer of worry  and change for me.

We'll keep you posted and introduce the website here when it is ready for visitors.  Wish us luck!

Walking Through The Shadow Of Death?

OK.  It probably isn't that extreme.  But I am very anxious today because I have a mammogram scheduled. The problem with this appointment is that it is with the "other" hospital.  The one that started the Scary Summer of 2010.  And it is my responsibility to collect my film from last year (at the "good" hospital) to bring with me. 

So, I'm off to hunt down my own medical information at a hospital I'm not allowed to use due to my insurance, to take to a hospital I inherently don't care to use to take but must if my insurance will cover anything, to take a test I really don't want but feel guilty about if I don't.  Yes.  This is fun.

Fall Break Begins, Finally

The kids have a few days off for Fall Break.  But that just means The Boy has football at 8 AM today, The Girl has an appointment to talk with an academic adviser at the University of Utah just after lunch, and Genius Golfer and I are working at the cannery for a few hours today.

Not much of a break, but a change is as good as a rest.  At least that is what they say.  We'll see if that is true this weekend.

Still Out Of It, Mostly

I'm still not feeling 100%, but I have hope that I will catch up and be back to normal after our Fall Break which begins tomorrow.  Can I get a "Hallelujah?"

But this is a new idea that showed up when I tried to add a fun Sunday comic.

Whoops! You're out of space. You are currently using 100% of your 1 GB quota for photos. 

Photos are stored in your Picasa Web Albums account and are included in your 1 GB free quota for photos. Additional storage you purchase is shared between several Google products and is in addition to your free quota.

That is weird.

Just Getting Through The Day

I slept in today hoping the pains in my neck would go away with a little more rest.  (And NO, I don't secretly mean my kids with that.)  I'm not sure what I did in the night but I woke up with a stiff neck and soreness when I try to more my head to the left or right.  Luckily my day today is a slow one, compared to others.  The Boy has the orthodontist appointment we have moved four times...we MUST make it today.  And then The Boy's football game in the neighboring city.  This game and then next week is his last...so I need to go to that as well.  Here's hoping a few extra ibuprofens and some heat will make things better--or at least tolerable.

Revelatory Announcement

Saturday morning I was sitting listening as General Conference began.  The Girl had come down to join me but as she came in I was wiping my eyes.  President Monson had just announced the change in the minimal age for missionaries--now 18 for young men and 19 for young women.  I was contemplating the changes that so many wonderful young men and women I know at school, in my stake, and in my own home will get to choose with this change.

As I explained to the girl, we got a little giddy about it.  I told her that now the boys she is in school with will be able to leave right after high school without the "gap year" of college--for some--and the work year--for others.  But better than that, she said, "Mom that means I can go as soon as I finish my bachelor's degree.  I won't have to do my master's first."

It also means The Boy will leave right after graduation--since he will graduate just after his 18th birthday.  They potentially could leave at the same time.  She graduates just shy of her 18th birthday, and since she will have her associate's degree with her high school diploma, she will only have about two years to finish her undergraduate work for her bachelor's degree.  Then she could leave at nearly 20--while he brother will be 18 and they will serve at the same time. And though we always figured they would have some overlap, this will be so perfectly timed, I can't still believe it all.

As the news sunk in Saturday afternoon, I was so thrilled to see so many young friends posting on Facebook about the new countdown until they could go.  Young women who hadn't thought seriously about missions before--because 21 sounded just too far away--were now figuring that they could serve much sooner and wanted to go.  Others who have always wanted to go, see this as a blessing to speed along their fondest dreams, and were even more excited to serve.

But the funniest thought came form a photo I saw posted on Facebook:

 

Having a prophet guide and direct this church is pretty amazing.  Having the Lord himself lead us is indeed a blessing by which I never fail to be humbled.

Video Sunday