Good & Bad News

Well, lets start with the good news. I have been contacted about 2 jobs in the same day! Praise God! The first one I have an interview on Thursday and the second the next step is you fill out a personality test online. That one is with DSS so they want to make sure it's going to be a good fit. I am hoping for the DSS position, not only would it look GREAT for when we take in our next child its also closer to home. The other job is about 20ish minutes away (which includes going over a mountain) so I'd prefer the one closer to home. So pray that one of these are the jobs God has intended for me. Also things are moving along with our adoption. Looks like it will be the end of February or first of March at the latest. So we are excited about that and she is trying out new names LOL. So far she likes Bella. Just not sure if its going to be short for Isabella or Rosabella and the middle name is definitely Jade. We all are just still on cloud nine.

On to the bad, I am in need of some serious prayer requests (which I will post on the prayer request board as well). Just found out yesterday that they had to stop all treatment for the cancer on my husbands father, he is just not strong enough to handle it. They've had to stop treatment once for him to re-gain his strength, it put him in ICU. Once they got him stable they started the treatment again and the same thing happened. So my husbands mom called him yesterday and the doctors have told her he is too weak for surgery and the treatment and basically now all they can do is make his last days comfortable. Mark is the type to hold all his feelings in and I am just letting him know I am here for him and just trying to support him in this time. It's also going to be really hard on our nephew (he lives with us) and basically just the whole family obviously.

And just on a side note, not near as life threatening as his dad is I am still struggling with my depression/anxiety. Still trying to find the right med and dosage so I seem to stay an emotional wreck. And I really need to be strong for my family now. Please pray for peace for me from this illness. I have battled it so for many years that sometimes I just get so tired and just wonder how much more I can bear.

PS...I'm still running a 15% sale in my store, plus a free gift with every order

Ok, I cave :)

Ok, after all the overwhelming support and responses I received about closing my etsy shop I have made a decision I feel is best. I am going to keep my etsy shop open and delete the tons of sites I have only for promotion, Rubee and Castteam NOT being one of those lol. I will no longer spend hours on the etsy forums trying to get sales. I will post and blog here and cast and rubee and just let God's will be done and take a rest. This way there is no pressure and I don't burn out on my crafting or go any further in debt trying to advertise. So I am going to leave the store open but just ease up a bit and give myself a break.

Update and Possible Goodbye

Well all I hate to say it but I am seriously considering closing down my etsy shop. I'm just not getting anywhere. The only time I have sales are the buy and replaces and while I love those, I'm not making any money. I am thinking of just leaving ads for my stuff on my blogs and such and just let people purchase through paypal if they see something they want. I might set up a one page website (get if for free with Verizon) and let people see my stuff then contact me if they want to buy something. It really depresses me but I feel like I am going backwards. I've spent more than triple the amount of money on products than what I've sold and no matter what I do I just can't seem to get the exposure to get regular sales, and not even just alot of sales, in the last several months all my sales have been buy and replace except one from a friend online. I just feel like I'm sinking cause I am even joining all these street groups and trying to promote anyway I can and nothing seems to be working. I fear this just may not be for me, no matter how much I love it. I'm not going to stop crafting but make it more a hobby. I am neglecting my family and duties around the house and staying up all hours of the night trying to create that "perfect" item that will "put my shop on the map" and it's been over a year and it's just not working. I'm putting us in the (or rather HAVE put us in the hole) by trying to keep this up. And right now our lives are so crazy that I just can't keep continuing on like this. I need to simplify my life some. De-stress myself. Even my doctor said so, he said I am (and my husband has been telling me the same thing for months) taking on just more than I can handle and I need to take a step back. And I get so upset, I feel like such a failure that this just isn't working. But I will continue to make things and at least give as presents and gifts, maybe, hopefully, one day do a local craft fair. I just don't feel as if the online shop is going to work for me. But as I said, I'll do something so people can still get in touch with me, if they want. Not to mention I will keep my blog here, this isn't going anywhere. I'm not sure how many if any people read this but its a good outlet for me. So probably in the next couple of days I'm going to clearance out my etsy store and close it. So keep checking back, I will try to do it tomorrow but things have been so insane.

BUT...on the EXTREME plus side of life and all that's been going on, we have been OFFICIALLY APPROVED to adopt our foster daughter!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They say it will probably be sometime in March to get all the paperwork finalized and filed but we couldn't be happier!! That has come as such a great relief to all of us, we are going to throw a HUGE party in celebration of it as well. And my daughter can't wait to change her name, and she may only be 6yrs old but she is dead set she is changing her first, middle and last name. I was told its actually fairly common among foster children, it's a fresh start for them. Plus her name is a "family" name that's been handed down and she just flat out does not want it. So we've been working on a list of names...we actually had a flat out, tantrum throwing fit that I vetoed the name Barbie....LOL. I just told her to trust me, in a few years, she'll thank me for that one! So praise God this is almost done and we can relax a bit now that we've been officially approved and just have to do the paperwork now.

Well as you can see I've wrote a book tonight, so I will post tomorrow or the next day about the closing of my etsy and how to reach me if you still want to buy. Besides, my daughter loves doing arts and crafts with me too so I could never stop actually creating, just having to find a different way I suppose. Well goodnight for now.

www.debtybeautifulbeads.etsy.com

Sorry Been MIA - update

Sorry I've been gone so long guys. It's been crazy around here. All of a sudden my internet starts acting up and I call in and get an automated machine saying that I had called and scheduled to cancel my internet! Of course this is news to me since I didn't! So I go round and round and they couldn't (don't know why) stop the disconnection and then they tell me its going to be 2 weeks before they can have it back up, now I have all the equipment, they just have to turn it on....so I stew about this and figure I would call in on Monday and demand it be turned on sooner when lo and behold it was up on Saturday morning LOL. They must've heard me and got scared lol.

So update on me, went to my doc and he has upped my depression med to full strength. It will take a few weeks to see if it works. If not, then we will have to try something else. I am still trying to just deal with it and all the drama going on. Doesn't help that I got fired, yes fired, from my job. Now the kids were out of school for TEN days (not including weekends) for the holidays and my husband took off those days so I wouldn't have to. Well right after that there was 2 snow days, of course Mark has taken so much time he can't take those days too, then I got sick, so I got a call from the staffing agencey saying I was fired. Just keeps getting better and better So take pity on me and buy something from me LOL. Same sale, %15 off and free gift with every purchase!

www.debtybeautifulbeads.etsy.com

Sale Sale Sale

Ok everyone I am marking everything in my store 15% off and get a FREE gift with every order!! This sale will not last forever so get it while you can! Be sure to check it out at: www.debtybeautifulbeads.etsy.com


And new items are always being added!!!!!!!

Life & Sales

Well needless to say December was a very rough month for me, and sadly this month isn't looking any better. I pray things will change, just too much to go into right now.

Needless to say I still need to raise some money! So I am still have a super sale in my etsy store! And check back often, I just hit the craft store today so lots of new goodies will be popping up soon! And now for the SALE: 15% off any item in the store and a FREE gift with every purchase!! Just make sure to mention the sale so I can adjust the amount or I can just do a refund if paid thru paypal. So come on by and help me out!!

www.debtybeautifulbeads.etsy.com

More Bad Days

Well my luck is just not getting any better and I'm not handling all this so well. Yesterday my daughter was out of school for the holidays and my nephew (whom we have legal guardianship of) had half a day. At one point and time I was going to go pick him up from school, then my husband was talking about picking him up and I didn't remember what we'd decided. This was about 11:30am. Now keep in mind we had moved earlier this year but we didn't make him change schools, we got permission for him to keep going to the same school so he wouldn't have to uproot all his friends. Besides, my husband still works in Sylva anyways so he usually picks him up after he gets off work. Kennen just usually hangs out with his friends until then (he's 15 yrs old). Well I call Mark and he said no, that they were going to pick him up from home to take him to Andrews (where his grandparents (Mark's parents) and his brother and his mom (in a nursing home) all live). We let him go over often and on holidays stay for several days. So it usually takes about a good 20-30 mins to get to where I need to go and I'm still in my pj's. So I jump up and tell Nevada we need to hurry up and get dressed and get out of the house and go get Kennen. Well this child typically HATES going anywhere. So she starts throwing a huge fit, I'm trying to get us both dressed and out of the house and she's throwing a fit and we are running so late. As we are going down our driveway (we have at the bottom of the hill a large iron gate that we just keep propped open) well I was arguing with Nevada, trying to get her to calm down, thought I had room, I didn't...side swiped the van on the iron gate . I completely tore off the passenger side mirror, dented in the passenger side door (can't open it now, not really anyway...have to slam the door really hard to get it to close if you do get it open) and huge scratches and dents down the side of the van. I really don't know how much more I am going to be able to handle. My husand is the most awesome man in the world, he wasn't mad at all, but I still feel like he should be. Both the kids spent the night with friends last night so instead of us having a nice relaxing night at home, just the 2 of us (which is so rare) we fought. And it was all my fault. My depression is kicking in with all that's happened and my meds aren't working right as is (working to find the right one with my doc now) so I just sunk into a deep depression and just told him he should leave me, I destroy everything I touch....just sunk really low. He hates it when I get like that (which isn't often) but he doesn't really know how to handle it. So he got mad and told me he wasn't going anywhere, it was my decision if I wanted to leave, which of course I don't and of course I never will. But I was just so upset, this was just the last straw and I just fell apart. So then I get mad and jumped in the van and went for a drive. Crying my eyes out. Mark doesn't handle it well as I said when the few other times I've sunk this low. So I was gone about 30mins just driving around and crying. He never called. I get home and he was in bed asleep, which of course just made me feel even worse. So basically I sat up most of the night, miserable, hating myself, and crying. Then felt so guilty I just slept in the living room in my chair. So now not only am I responsible for paying back the scam I was suckered into, now we have to come up with the money to fix the van, and of course I've also over spent our account on Christmas. So needless to say I am not in the Christmas spirit at all this year. I am miserable. Mark just left to go pick up Nevada, gave me a kiss and left. He's the type of person, once a fight's over, he's fine and just goes on about like everything is ok. Me, on the other hand, feel absolutely worse today then yesterday. Luckily I do have a doc appt on the 3rd about my depression. The med I was before did work but stopped a few months ago. So I've been working with my doc to try and find a new med and dosage that will. So with all the things that have happened lately and my depression being off, I am just not handling well all the trials that are coming my way. Please pray for me and my family, that we can get thru all this.

To help and try and raise some money I am going to mark everything in my store 15% off with free domestic shipping and half off international shipping. So please come by and take a look. I have several things I need to add so keep checking back, I will be doing that here in just a little while.

www.debtybeautifulbeads.etsy.com

Sorry I've Been MIA

Hiya everyone. Sorry it's been so long since I've posted. I've had a really bad last 2 weeks. First, the adoption committee decided not to meet this month, so we have to wait another month. Ok, disappointing but hey, we've waited this long what's another 30 days, right. Then I get called in for a job interview for a full time teacher's aid, interview goes really well. Get a call from the principal saying I didn't get the job. However, he was so impressed with my interview he contacted other schools to let them know about me and if they needed someone they needed to definitely interview me. Ok so that's cool, disappointed about the job but at least he's putting my name out there. Then, on my way to take my daughter to the dentist, I get pulled for speeding. Was I? Probably a little bit, as much as he said, probably not. He was going the other direction with traffic AND a median inbetween us. He turned around and pulled me. Admitted I wasn't speeding then but when I passed him going the other way he "felt" I was so he wrote me a ticket. Ok, upset about that but luckily I am still on good terms with my co-workers from being a paralegal for so long so the attorney I worked for last is handling it for me, for free. Will he get it thrown out, I don't know. But at the very most I'll pay a fine but he can get it reduced so there will be no points on my license and it won't affect our insurance. And now, for the biggie. The one with no silver linning. Yesterday I stayed home, my daughter wasn't feeling well and I called into my part-time job, then at the last minute she decides she wants to go to school. Well I decided to go ahead and stay home and work on finishing up for Christmas. I go out and do some shopping and am home working on stuff and get a call from my bank and found out I was scammed/conned out of $3,500!!!!!!!!!! I had a big sale that I was so proud of and it turned out to be a scam. And apparently a fairly common one. I was contacted on Facebook and this guy said he was a buyer for someone else and placed a $147 order. I was so excited. Now I only take paypal and bank checks, well the check his "client" sent my was a "business" check and I thought it was a bank check, so I cashed it, kept my part, then wired the "middle man" the rest (who's in another country), I wasn't thinking anything bad....I thought it was a cashiers check so I was safe from fraud and I guess I am just a little too trusting. Well I got a call yesterday from my bank that it was a business check, the account is closed, and I owe the bank $3,500 now. They were very understanding and were the first ones to tell me I was scammed. I had to take out a LOAN to pay it back, the bank officer is being really nice and making my first payment not due until the last day of January. In the meantime, basically there is going to be nothing anyone can do, but I did fill out a complaint online last night with the FBI, I will contact my local sheriff's department and consumer agencies and such, but realistically, I'll never see that money. I have been so upset and just can't shake it. I am going to call work today and take the rest of the week off, only reason I can AFFORD to is I am still collecting unemployment from my last job and it will cover me not working. I just feel so stupid. Thank God my husband is being VERY understanding and doesn't even blame me, but I blame me enough for the both of us...and then some. So now I need to make some money to start paying off this loan. I am going to re-post all my items I thought sold back on my etsy shop today with all the other stuff I have and if anyone needs anything at all, PLEASE visit my shop. In despiration I am marking everything 15% off. I really need some help.

http://www.debtybeautifulbeads.etsy.com/

Job Interview!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, I got a call last night asking me to come in TODAY for a job interview for a teacher's assistant position! I'm already off due to Nevada having a denist appt AND counseling this afternoon so I am squeezing in the interview in between. Wish me luck, pray hard, we need this badly. It would help so much. I would be working full time, have benefits (instead of it eating up Mark's check) AND I would have the same hours as Nevada and summers off and the same holidays so no worries on trying to get time off or someone to watch her, which isn't easy to do when they are a foster child cause they are so strict! This would be PERFECT! Pray God has sent me this job and that this is the one!

Irritated

Well the meeting on the adoption approval committee was cancled. Said they were too busy with the holidays. Sadly they have a long list of children waiting for the all clear so they can be adopted and it would have made the perfect Christmas gift. We are positive we will be approved for adoption, but it will still be a relief to hear it confirmed officially and get on with it. But oh well, we've waited 8 months, what's 30 more days LOLBut to try and cheer myself up and I am still running my etsy Christmas special. FREE domestic shipping, HALF off international shipping and just for kicks, mention you saw this on myspace and receive 10% off your order!. And every order comes with a FREE gift!

www.debtybeautifulbeads.etsy.com

Adoption Update

Well all we are supposed to hear today whether or not we are cleared to start the adoption process. I am waited on pins and needles to hear something! So pray hard all, this has been a long hard road for all of us, especially the little one. And finally there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel. Realistically, there is no reason for them to deny us, I just worry, over everything LOL.

But to get my mind off it, I am going to go make lots of great crafts so stop by my store often to see what I've listed. And for the Christmas holidays FREE domestic shipping, HALF off international shipping and a free gift with every purchase!!

http://www.debtybeautifulbeads.etsy.com/

Don't Miss Out On This!!!

Here are my newest listings, and my Christmas sale is FREE domestic shipping and HALF off international shipping AND receive a FREE gift with every order!http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8302423http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8302265http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8301743http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8301493http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8055266

Latest & Greatest!

Check out all my newest creations, stop by more store for even more! Give the greatest gift this year, a handmade gift!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8302423http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8302265http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8301743http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8301493
and receive a FREE gift with every purchase!

Christmas Sale at my shop!

Come on by my shop today for FREE domestic shipping and HALF off international shipping! And a FREE gift with every purchase!!!http://www.debtybeautifulbeads.etsy.com

Adoption Update

Ok, the latest news on the adoption is this. Everyone, counselor, DSS workers and supervisors, and caseworkers all agree that we should be allowed to adopt Nevada. (For those new readers her name is pronounced Nuh-vay-duh) Soooo now we have to have our paperwork "officially" sent to the adoption committee and basically the only person left to aprove the adoption is the head of DSS. Now, he should have NO reason to deny us or postpone the adoption process since everyone is in agreement. Of course I am still going to worry until I get an official yes, heck some of me will worry until it's complete and final!! Now they usually meet the 2nd Tuesday of every month BUT of course they have not decided if they will meet this month or not, due to it being the holidays. BUT apparently they have a lot of children lined up for adoption so they might go ahead and meet. If not, we have to wait until January to finalize all of this. Pray hard they meet this month!!!!

Been too long!

Hi everyone! Sorry I've been MIA for so long. My computer crashed and it took them a WEEK to get it fixed. I thought I would go crazy! But I'm back, YAY! No longer going thru withdrawl. Hope you come by my etsy shop and check out the new items. Hurry while you can, you'll see several great items on reserve for a sale so don't miss out on the item you want because someone else got to it first!!

www.debtybeautifulbeads.etsy.com

Countdown begins...2 more days left!

Saturday is my open house and my store will be temporarily closed! So best hurry up before all (hopefully) the good stuff (or everything!) is gone! So hurry and buy now! Free gift with every order!

http://www.debtybeautifulbeads.etsy.com/

Countdown begins...3 more days left!

Ok guys, Saturday is fast approaching and I don't know what if anything will be left in my etsy store after that! So check it out and if you see something, best nab it now, and receive a FREE gift with every order!!

http://www.debtybeautifulbeads.etsy.com/

Not much time left!

Just a reminder everyone....my open house is THIS Saturday....so all my wonderful items are in jepoardy of being gone before you get a chance to get them! So best take advantage while the items are still in my store! Free gift with every purchase!!
www.debtybeautifulbeads.etsy.com
HURRY NOW!!!

LAST CHANCE!!

Well guys your chances could be coming to a close to get these fabulous items in my etsy store! I have an open house coming up next Saturday the 17th and I will temporarily close my etsy store and take all my product with me. And if it sells out....then you will have lost out!! So best take advantage while the items are still in my store! Free gift with every purchase!!

www.debtybeautifulbeads.etsy.com

HURRY NOW!!!