Happy Holidays

We're less than a week away from Xmas, have you finished all of your shopping? I have :-)

I didn't go crazy this year, but I usually don't. Not that I don't want to though. If I had the money I would be one of those people with presents stacked half way up the tree and a house/ yard full of lights and decorations. I enjoy all the planning, shopping, wrapping, decorating, its just fun. 

Of course the parking and the crowds aren't the best but generally everyone seems to be happier this time of year. What bothers me though is how sensitive people have become with using the proper greeting. Merry CHRISTmas is splattered all over social media as well as other memes and quotes about how it shouldn't be Happy Holidays or Seasons Greetings.

First of all, not everyone celebrates Christmas so calm the eff down! Its a general greeting to wish whomever you're speaking too a good holiday, whether its Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or whatever. 

Secondly, I'm sure I'm not the only one who isn't Christian (or any other religion) who celebrates Xmas. I intentionally use Xmas instead of spelling it out because I couldn't care less that the word has the name Christ in it. Thats not what I'm celebrating, but if you are that's great. Please don't shove your beliefs down my throat and just enjoy yourself. 

So whatever it is you celebrate this time of year, I hope you have a Happy Holiday!

Life is like a box of chocolates

Well hello!!

I haven't posted in what seems like forever. The reason I took such a long break is because I felt like everything I wrote was kind of pointless. I was struggling with what to write and what not to write. It all seemed kind of random but I've realized that I'm ok with that. Because life is random. I don't have anything exciting going on right now but I'm certainly thankful there isn't a lot of drama.

My business is doing ok. I'm nearing the end of my second year as a sole proprietor. I'm pretty proud of that because I never really thought I would make it this far. I have some really great clients that helped make it all possible. I'm greatful for the support of my friends too. It's helpful that some of them are business owners and can brainstorm with me.

Fiona is doing great. Today is her 8th birthday <3 I hope I get to see her today and give her a squeeze. She's with her dad today so we'll see. It's super frustrating not being able to spend time with your child on special days. Even on regular days, I just miss her and it sucks.

Well, its not much but its a start.

Under the weather

My goodness it's been a long time since I've posted anything. I have ideas for things I'd like to write about but my days are filled with massage and doing that mommy thing. I need some better organization in my life. I get so caught up with all the things I need to do and then I get overwhelmed but only 1 or 2 things actually get accomplished.

Poor Fiona has been sick so the last couple of nights have been rough. Yesterday and today was the first time I've had to call clients to cancel in the 13 months I've had my business. It stresses me out because I hate disappointing people but it had to be done.

I made a doctor appointment but it isn't until later in the day. I've used my time to clean up my place a little bit and working with Fiona on her spelling words. I'm thinking I need more than 2 days off a month so I can do this more often. That would give me more time to blog too.

I've been thinking of writing about some of the behind the scenes type stuff for massage. Any questions or suggestions on what you'd like to see would be appreciated. Happy hump day :)

Getting crafty

Its the week of Thanksgiving and people are crowding stores everywhere. When it comes to shopping, I hate crowds.

Fiona and I went to a fabric store to pick some scraps for a project. There's a Michael's not far from my house and there's a giant building next to it that I always assumed was a place that sold flooring. So we were driving to Michaels and I ended up in the wrong driveway. I turned a little early and pulled in the parking lot of a Kaiser medical place. I couldn't cut over to the right parking lot because there was a hill and trees that seperated them so I just parked anyway and walked over. That's when we passed this "flooring place" and saw that it was really a fabric store.

Fiona has been talking about sewing and how she wants to make stuff. She was excited and wanted to get everything. If they weren't closing I bet we would have been in there a lot longer.

We ended up going to Michaels anyway just to look around and get some white paint. We got to the yarn section and I ended up buying her a loom. I remember using one as a kid and this way she doesn't have to work with needles.

The place was packed and that's probably a good thing. I just wanted to get outta there and now my wallet is thanking me.
So we got home with 2 different yarns and I had to figure out how to get the scarf started. Once Fiona took over and got the hang of it I didn't hear a peep. I came to check on her while I was in the middle of making dinner and she said "This is kinda cool, I like it!" As it was getting longer she had to show me her progress, it was cute. So maybe in the future she can make me some cool stuff :) If I didn't already buy her a birthday gift she might have gotten some more yarn.

Fiona's birthday is the day after thanksgiving this year.She's going to her dads for both so that's kinda sad. I'm hoping at least I'll get Xmas with her. We decided to celebrate the big #7 on Wednesday tho. She wants to go bowling, should be fun.

Be thankful and enjoy the holiday.

Decisions decisions

After almost 2 years using a refurbished phone, mine decided give me trouble. I was sure that whatever was wrong with it (the microphone went out and no one could hear me on a call) wouldn't be covered and I needed to just buy a new phone. I waited almost a week before Marcus decided to call customer service from his phone. They started asking a bunch of questions and he handed the phone over. Turns out the issue is covered under warranty (I had an extended one and didn't even know) so I got a new phone for FREE. Oh and the best part is, I got a free upgrade because they don't carry my particular model anymore. Cool huh? Its basically the same phone but the new version of it. It has a longer battery life, a slightly better camera and its HD. So that makes me happy.

But, I do have a dilemma on my hands. I'm now back at the decision making process (which I strongly dislike) about where to go now in my career. I've been doing the groupon thing for 4 month now. Recently I've been offering the same price to those clients who come back a second time and then I try to sell them packages for an awesome price during that visit. Doing that helps them because its cheaper and helps me because I get a lump sum to help me pay the bills. Its also making sure that I stay busy because the busier I am, the more people want to see me. So that's all been going OK. Things are slowly starting to turn around but now the wellness center wants me to join them. That's all fine and dandy but I'm gonna have to spend a lot of time there trying to get started ( again). They offered me a killer deal but I feel like now that things are picking up at the salon, I don't want to just drop it. Even if I did figure out a transition period I still owe the salon a lot of money. The owner Jenny has been so patient with me and very nice.

I think in the long run,I think I'll be making more $ at the wellness center but I'll be somewhat limited because its not my own business. I kinda wish someone would just tell me what to do.

Anyway, that's what's going on with me. How have you handled hard decisions?

Wake me up in November

Oh wait, it is November! This week was somewhat busy. It was also a week of firsts. I've been cooking a little more than usual. Sometimes I just get so lazy and end up taking the easy way out. Sometimes its difficult because I work during the day and then take a break just long enough to go home, pick up Fiona as she gets off the bus and head to the salon for one last massage (which she hates).

By the time we get home I just want to sit and relax for a minute. Except a minute turns into an hour and then I'm wondering how we're gonna fit dinner, homework, nightly reading and a bath in before bed. It's all taken its toll too. I've gained more weight than I'd like to say. That needs to change asap!

Anyway, I made chili for the first time. It was a recipe given to me by the lovely Krista. It was yummy! I also made fried chicken for the first time (I know, not a healthy choice but I wanted to try) it didn't turn out so well :( Lastly, it was my first Halloween with out my lil bubba. It felt so strange. I'm sure she had fun at her dads though.

I dressed up just to enter a contest my apartment building was having. I was a bag of groceries. I threw it together in like 30 minutes but I think it came out OK. The ladies who work in the office though are super unorganized and I waited for 20+ minutes to have my picture taken. One of them ended up snapping a pic with her phone. She was supposed to email it to the office manager but I have a feeling she never did. Oh well, I had fun making it.

I hope the weekend treats you well. I'm off to a gala tomorrow evening so that should be fun. See ya around

Halloweeny

I don't know whats up with me this year. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays but I haven't gotten into the spirit yet. Usually by now my house would be decorated and I would at least have an idea of what I wanted to dress up as. I dont think I'll dress up this year :( That was something that was always so fun to do with my best friend. Now that we aren't friends anymore I don't think it will be quite the same. No trick or treating with Fiona this year either, she'll be with her dad. We did go to the pumpkin patch though while we were visiting some friends in California last weekend. It was fun to surprise my friend who had no idea we were coming. We got so many cute pictures of all the kids.
This was the look on Jen's face when I started walking up the driveway hehe

The first stop was at the park. (I had just gotten off a 15 hour train ride) Jennifer and I planned the whole thing for about a month.

Three amigas. Jennifer, Jennifer and I

We went apple picking first. That was fun and the kids had a blast.

Then we were off to the pumpkin patch. I took the older kids in the corn maze and they were more interested in picking the corn.

Hanging out with baby Lizzie. Shes such a cute little chunky monkey

These two are so cute together, I swear theyre gonna get married. Anyway, do you have plans for halloween?