I Am Still Around

It's been several days since I've blogged and I've missed it.  It can be very daunting to blog when you feel you really don't have much to say to inspire or encourage others and that is what I'd like my blog to be about...as well as just showing the real side of who I am.
I'll try to give you a "brief" run down of what's going on in my world without boring you to death, or just maybe I will bore you...sorry in advance.  ;-)

We've been dealing with a nasty stomach bug that hit my house twice in two weeks.  SO NOT FUN!!!  However, we are all on the mend now.  I hadn't done much sewing to begin with in the past month and the illness didn't help much either.  I've made some decisions in the past 20 days.  I'm closing my online shop.  I'll actually NOT renew my web thing-a-ma-jig.  I will make a few business cards and as I give items away for gifts, I will include a card with it and people can come to my blog to see pics (I'll put up later) to see some of the things I've made.  I just don't feel motivated any longer to do mass sewing on a continuous basis.  I don't mind doing mass sewing for a craft fair or bazaar, but aside from that, it takes all the fun out of it for me and I want it to still remain enjoyable.  So I guess that answered my question....I am NOT cut out for being a salesman.  Not in the sense of having a shop.

What I really want to do (I don't think any of my friends or family know this) is teach others to sew, even if it's just basic things.  I wish I could start a sewing studio, set up with 5-8 machines at all times and teach beginning sewing.  Then I wonder, do people really want to learn how to sew?  I'm looking into classes at our local homeschool coop as a trial test.  I just wish I had a better place to set up....NOT JoAnn Fabrics.  That's my favorite place to shop, but I don't want to deal with their fees and such.  If I did, I'd basically be making pennies on the dollar....and they'd be taking the dollars. :-/
I know I have to start somewhere, but as a single mama, I need to be able to bring something home with which to feed my children with.

Anyway, I've also been asked to consider doing a devotional.  I'm just wondering, do I have ANYTHING to put in a devotional?  With ALL the thousands out there, WHO would want mine?  Would I gear it towards single moms?  And I'm seriously NOT articulate with my words!  My mother was a word person.  She loved all things words and learning.  I know just enough to get me in trouble!!!  More decisions which to pray about...

And I don't have to tell you, but I will, I'm struggling in my prayer life.  Struggling because I see God at work in my life, but when I look at the massive poverty we still live in and the thought of having to go back to a 9 to 5 in order to provide for my children, it is daunting and I get discouraged.  I'm not even sure which way to pray at times and yet, I keep trudging along...my children are watching.

On to other news.....

The other night I watched a really good and interesting documentary.  Forks Over Knives Now it got me to thinking AGAIN about what we eat.  I had gone the route of trying vegetarian full force and after about 21 days, I went back to my old habits.  Then just this year we gave it a go again, only this time I decided we would only have meet a few times a week.  That went well for a while as well, but yet again, I got lazy and went back to what I was comfortable with.  You know when you know something and are comfortable with it, it doesn't take much brain power to crank out a weekly or monthly menu and shop accordingly and cook accordingly.  It's a serious no brainer, but when you are switching to something so drastically unfamiliar, it takes A LOT of brain power and well, I got lazy!!!
So after watching this documentary, I began to THINK again.  I have heart disease, high blood pressure, anxiety attacks, high cholesterol, and now milk (I LOVE MILK) is doing a number on my stomach.  Now I totally dig veggies.  I enjoy them more than meat, so it's not the meat per say that I'm having an issue with giving up.  I totally LOVE dairy and eggs.  Yet this just may be one of the main culprits contributing to my health issues.  Knowing that, I still want my dairy and eggs.  I can go without milk...sigh.
I can learn to cook with almond or coconut milk, no biggie.  However, I don't know how to go without my cheeses, butter, and eggs!!!!  Well, I have been substituting coconut oil for butter whenever possible...not sure how to do that in baking.  OK, so that leaves me the cheese, eggs, and baking with butter dilemma.  I tried one of those cheese substitutes Daiya......ummm NO!!!!  What happens when I'm craving an omelet?  It doesn't happen often, but we have chickens in our chicken coop and they lay beautiful eggs.  Do I give in to that craving every now and then?  What happens when I want lasagna or a casserole that calls for cheddar cheese?  Or what about Mac N Cheese?  OH MY WORD!!!!!!!  I think this might be a bit easier if I had a nearby vegan friend that I could go to her house and sample her food.  UGHHH

Well, I've given myself until Jan 1, 2012 and I will switch over completely.  I have until then to find things I like to substitute the things I love.  Until then, I am gradually making changes.  I bought almond milk for cooking, not sure what to drink when I have a cookie....:-/  I'm already using coconut oil where I can.  I've switched from whites...flour, sugar, pasta, and rice.  Any vegans following me?  Got any pointers? I have also got to get my garden tilled and begin to compost and fertilize it now so it will be good and ready to go come spring.  Another sad thing is I JUST GOT ALL MY RECIPES CATEGORIZED AND IN 1 BINDER!!!!!  After 3 years I got it done last month and NOW I will have to redo it with vegan recipes. arghhhhhhh ughhhhhhhh

However, I know this is best for my health, so I will do it.  I'm over 260 pounds and I've got over 110 pounds to lose.  Oh My Word...seeing that just made me realize, I'm carrying a whole extra person on me.  No wonder I'm always so tired and lethargic and my heart races out of my chest!!!  Those are some sick numbers.  I've got to be serious about this whole thing...I do want to live a long life and enjoy grandchildren someday.  I can't do that if I'm in the grave because I enjoyed ALL of the things I love about food.

Anyway, that's what's going on in my world.  Ohhhh, and I am still considering moving.  I'm thinking Arkansas or Tennessee.  Just not sure when.  My youngest will be 18 in 2 years.  So then it will just be me moving if he leaves the nest at that age.  We shall see, only God knows!!

Notices

I hate disconnection notices.  With all that is in me, I hate them and yet, I find myself facing them once again!!!!  

I Know God will work it out,  but I still hate them.

As a side note, I got all signed up for Scentsy and then it seemed like the room got totally silent.  Many of my friends don't comment on my facebook statuses anymore or even reply to my emails.  Really disheartening, especially since I didn't try to sell them anything.  Just wondering AGAIN if this was the route God had in mind.  Every avenue I have tried to bring in some kind of income to support my family has seemed to go bottoms up and quickly.  Back to praying to seek Him yet again and gain understanding...I hope.  Somethings got to give!!!

In the meantime, blogging has taken a back seat.  I've been going through so many emotions that I didn't want to bring anyone else down...I want my blog to be encouraging and if I can't find encouragement in it or through it, I just don't blog.  I hope to be back soon though because I sure miss putting my thoughts down. 

Joy Joy Joy

I'm officially open for business!!!!  My Scentsy site is up and running.  I'm totally excited and nervous all at the same time, if that makes any sense!!!!!

So here is what I would like you, my readers, to do.  Go here or email me and let's set up a Scentsy Party for you.  Now, my out of town friends and those that don't want to host a party in their homes, I have a solution for you as well.... a basket party!!!!  I've ordered enough Scentsy scents to send to you and you have your own basket party amongst your local friends and afterwards, you just send the scents back to me (I'll handle postage).  Let's get you some free products right away!!!!


In the next couple of weeks I'll also be cranking out some baby gift items with my new embroidery machine!!!!  I'll be working on my online shop and you and others can go to the site and order items!!!

I'm excited and anxious to see what the Lord will do with these two ventures!

Grand Announcement!!!

I'm super excited and can't wait to see how the Lord uses this opportunity to bless my family and others.  I'm still working on my site and items that I will be sewing and selling, but I've also embarked on something else that I totally enjoy.
New business ventures can be a bit scary, but THIS ONE has me all excited!!!!!!!!
I absolutely love the products and can't wait to have my first "party".
I haven't yet set up my about me page...still trying to word it, now that's the ONLY part I hate.  Any ideas, please pass them along.
If you're interested in hosting, please let me know!!!!!!!

This is just but one sample

Just a little taste of what I'll be making....

Any idea what this is?

To all my sewing friends...

Have any idea where I can get inexpensive labels to sew on my items???

I'd like them to say Made With Love by Tasha or Handmade By Tasha

Any ideas?????

It's a give away!

Woo Hoo, my very own give away.  I can't tell you how many I've entered myself and prayed to win, but there is just something neat about being on the other end and offering the give away.
The item is a nursing cover up.  This is just one of many items I will have available on my Etsy shop.  You will be able to purchase items separately or as a gift set.  I'll be working on 4 different gift sets.

I'm totally excited, totally nervous, and not nearly as ready as I'd like to be, but I'm gonna take the plunge anyway.  I'm praying for great success with this shop.

Without further ado, feast your eyes on this....

This set includes one bib, two burp cloths, and a nursing cover up.
One blessed winner will win this set.  Here are the guidelines.

You must post a comment stating who you are thinking of gifting this to (if you can).  Second you must link back to my blog post in your blog.  Third, you can also post a link on your Facebook or Twitter page.

I will have my daughter randomly choose a winner on the evening of Thursday, October 7th and will post the name of that winner on Friday morning right here on my blog.

Are you ready?  Get busy!!!!!

A name for my business

FINALLY!!!!
I've chosen a name for my business!  I've been pondering and praying over that for months, not sure I would ever come up with one and then not sure the one I came up with would be suitable or likable.  Would it sound cheesy or would it really represent me.  However, I like it!!!

STITCHESNHEMS

I'll set up my Etsy shop soon.  I want to get a few of the items I plan to sell made up first and THEN do a bit more reading on how to set up my Etsy shop.

I'd love to get some tips, pointer, ideas for my profile and introduction to my shop, so if you'd like to volunteer some I'd be extremely appreciative.  If there is one thing I don't do well, it's brag on myself.  I just find it so totally hard to do and yet I'm told that is exactly what I will need to do in my profile.