Reached out

Over 10 years ago I met Dana in NYC. A mutual friend encouraged us to meet, because at the time I was fascinated with NY and fashion design. And Dana designed for CK and Tommy H. Well I finally emailed her and thanked her for hanging out with me and showing me around the garment district.

I know it's a little late but it felt SO good. I tried to thank her years ago but didn't have the right contact info plus she was travelling alot. So there... I can cross off one thing that's been on the back of my mind for a long time. Who knows, maybe we'll be able to keep in touch every now and then.

1 stress gone

I told Freelance company I don't want to do work for them anymore.

A few days ago I get a phone call. It's a rush fix that needs to be done. I said I'll do it when I get back since I'm on my way to an appointment.
Freelance co: No, it needs to be done now.
Me: No, I'm on my way out. I'll be back in 2 hours I'll do it then.
Freelance: No, we wouldn't call if we didn't need it asap. Can you just hear us out and see if it's something you can do?
Me: (silence.....) ok what is it?
Freelance: It's just changing one word from XXXX to Xxxx.
Me: (i'm such a sucker) That's fine if that's all it is... I don't think I have that file though.
Freelance: we'll get you the file. We're gonna have "Dorothy" send it over now.

I go to the computer while hoping Little J keeps being interested in Baby Einstein. Then I thought, if they have the file why can't they do it? I call back and said: Why don't you just make the change if you have the file?
Freelance co: .... (calls in Dorothy)
Dorothy: I can't put in form fields.
Me: If you have the file you don't need me.
Dorothy: But you have to put in the form fields.
Me: What do you mean? There's no form fields on that page.
Freelance co talking amongst themselves, then: ok, byyyyyyyyyeeeeeee!

Wow! LOL
Anyway... a few days later when I get a change for a job from 4 months ago I asked Freelance Co. to not send more jobs (not that I've been getting much). Pretty painless. But they did ask if that meant all jobs. Ummm... yes. LOL

I'm going to put the energy that I spent there, elsewhere. heh

Website and the ex

Now I'm back to working on the website again. I'm not very familiar with Dreamweaver so if I don't work on it for a month or more, I forget how everything works. I'm a print girl so I have to switch my thinking when it comes to web. I'm going to get an informative site first while I try to do the shopping cart thingie. We'll see how it all goes. I wish there was 2 of me!

Totally off topic but.... There's been 3 instances when I've gone to pick up my husband and I find myself driving behind or next to my very first boyfriend's parents. I could tell their car anywhere because it's like a 1965 model or something. The first time it was like "woah that's J's dad and they still have the same car!" The 2nd time it was his dad and mom in the car, I almost rolled down my window and yelled "Hi Mrs. Dxxxxxxxx!!!!!!!" but I didn't want to give her a heart attack. Plus it might seem awkward. I'm thinking his dad might work at one of the churches in my area.

So strange to get a glimpse of them after all these years. Last I heard of the exboyfriend was around the time of our 10-year HS reunion. I ran into his sister and wondered if he was going. She said he was married and studying graphic design. Graphic design!? Funny when I went to college, he used to sit in on my classes and fall asleep. He worked graveyard so he could go to my classes to keep an eye on me. LOL He was never interested in design but funny that he ended up studying it. Hopefully he's doing something with it. Anyway, it's bizarre that I've been less than 10 feet away from his parents with the past 2 months.

Balance

Client stopped by yesterday for last minute edits and drop off a a disk. It could've been done thru email and snail mail, but maybe she just wanted to stop by. Client is very pleased with the work, and I'm so glad that it's practically done... just some minor edits and it's off to be printed. She asked for the balance of the payment and I gave her a figure. I have a soft spot for musicians/artists so I do it for a "small business" price. To my surprise, she countered and paid me more than what I asked. I was like: "YES!" I've never had a client do that. The past year I've been so used to Freelance Co. chop my quotes down or ask me to lower my price that I think I'm almost brainwashed by it. So this was a very pleasant surprise. And it comes at a very good time as Freelance Co. is not giving me more work, which is fine by me. I think they have the traffic person do the art now. Once I had a question like how do you make a shadow show up underneath a box in a PS layer. (To be fair to Freelance Co. they did offer me her job, but I didn't want half my job to be trafficking/customer service. Plus I had a gut feeling telling me don't take it.)

Anyway back to CD client... she's hoping to keep me a little busy after the CD is released. She's starting a business herself and in a few years she'd want me to work in her company once she has established things. I said sure. Also the printer who is doing her project said if I'm up for it, he can send stuff my way. I said that'd be great as long as it's not all the time or a rush because I have an energetic toddler. He offered me this last time I did her CD, LOL. I wonder why I didn't pursue this couple years ago? Ehh even if nothing comes of it, it's nice to be asked. This time I'm on the fence about accepting work since I have Little J and paper biz... but if it's work with good people, I would reconsider.

I wonder why all this is coming up? Freelance Co.'s door is closing so another opens? Is this balance? Where is my position going to be in this paper biz I'm pursuing? Oh when I look at the whole big picture it's kinda baffling. I better go back to what I was just doing... cutting paper and ribbons and whatnot. I don't want to think too much or else I'll stop too long.

This might be the longest post I've written. That's because hubby's mom is in town, she got in yesterday. We were kind of surprised, but very glad she's here. She wants to help and play with Little J. We're greatful for that. Help with the baby is always a good thing. Woohoo.

All by myself

Yes, I had 8 hours by myself on Friday. That's the longest I went without little J, ever. My mom had the day off so I dropped him off at my parents after I took hubby to work. I forgot what it felt like to do things without a little person hanging by my leg. hehe.

I had plans of all these things I wanted to do... but I mostly finished up the CD project. I finally received all the elements to do final layouts and client is coming over Monday. Now the CD needs to be done as soon as possible. Good thing I was working while I waited and thank god I had the day off because I spent more time than I thought I would.

The day literally flew by. When 4:15 came, I felt I was ready to just drop. Drowsiness just hit me suddenly like a brick. I hadn't had any sleep the past 2 nights because little J had the sniffles. But sleep will have to wait because I had to go pick up hubby. Sigh the sacrifice of having one car... it's not too bad. It outweighs the monthly car payment, if we were to get another car.

All in all, it was a productive day. I got things done. Packed stuff I sold on ebay to be mailed off, in no time at all. I also had a chance to list some lots on ebay too... Clothing inventory that I had in the closet since the baby was born. I used to sell on ebay but then the fees got too expensive and I realized I didn't like listing. What I liked was buying merchandise and keeping some for myself. LOL A bad habit. I'll leave the ebay selling to my sis-in-law... she does it so much better. Now it's time to get our closets back and just simplify.

If/when I make money in stationery biz, I'll hire a babysitter every now and then!