Saturday, April 11, 2015

What a roller coaster it has been.

This year started out tough, as I was finally coming to terms with my Grandmother's death. In doing so, I sunk into a depression. I was making bad decisions and we got behind on bills. It is now April and things are slowly coming together.

We started a new business, actually two under the same umbrella. We are doing a historical re-enactor garb and costumer resale store. We purchase garb and costumes that people are not wearing anymore and then we fix it up a bit, to be resold to someone else who wants it. So far we are doing pretty well in our first month. (see http://www.thesensibleviking.com) We actually had three separate sales of a decent amount in our first week of opening. Now we just have to keep up with supply.

I have also started selling my crochet work. I have a portion on the website dedicated to it, called ToCrochetIsToLove. I also have an etsy store under the same name. The crochet work I am doing, is working well as a therapy for me. I sold my first commission and am working on some more. So it is nice to be busy. Hopefully the money from the crochet will allow me to save up to go back to school and get my alternative teacher certification.

As I mentioned, we got behind on the bills. My husband and I stopped communicating and we ended up doing some stupid things. It is taking us awhile to get back on track, but we ARE doing it. We are doing everything we can to make up for the mistakes. We have sold a bunch of stuff, like books, DVDs, CDs, etc. I am even going to go through all of the girls stuff and see what we can purge. It is actually a good thing, so that we don't have to move it all when we are able to move into a house.

Along with the two businesses, I have gone back to work part time. I will be working about 20-25 hours a week in the evenings and one weekend day. This will bring in much needed money to get back on track and to put into savings so that we can move when our lease is up in October. We still plan to get into a house, but it will be a rental or a lease to own. Not a full out purchase. Either way, our kids will have a nice yard to play in.

My weight is in the downward spiral, which is good. But I do not think it is really from any hard work. I am just not eating as much, because our budget is so tight. Don't worry, I am eating, the kids are eating, hubby is eating. But we are all snacking less and making do with less. It was a horrible adjustment for our oldest, the snack queen. She still has her moments, but she is getting better. My weight is down to 257, down from 278 at my highest. This is awesome!

I am proud of us recently. We figured out we were going in the wrong direction and then worked out how to get back on track. It is a process, but one that is worth it. I am so proud that my husband and I and the kids pulled together this week to come up with the couple hundred we needed to pay a bill. It had to be paid or there would have been major consequences. We sold a bunch of stuff and paid the bill. There is no better feeling.

So that is the roller coaster we have been on. Tough times, filled with good times. Hope and faith that it is all going to work out. I am happy to be back at work, but mostly that it is a job that works around my need and desire to be home with the girls during the day. I am eternally grateful for it.

Until next time...


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