Happy New Year ! (An ending fit for a queen)

Too bad I'm not that queen. I looked back and saw that my last post was in October, the day after my son's first b-day. It's been one roller coaster ride after another and doesn't look as though it's going to stop anytime soon. <> Either hop on or let it roll over you.

The kids have been on vacay for the last 3--count 'em--3 weeks! I didn't get a break like that until I was in college and then you needed it. What does a 7 and 2 year-old need with a 3 week break? The Cookie Mill has been doing well and we've even picked up business. I've added one or two new items to the menu and things are looking up. So yup, I plan to continue with the baking business in the new year.

Then there's the writing. After the summer, I picked it back up, started a few new projects, put them down, did some freelance that I actually got paid for and now with the year ending, I'm working on my historical fiction to get it ready for submission to agents--IF I go that route again. The last time was nothing less of a disaster however, I have learned A LOT from it and don't plan to revisit those mistakes again. (Do we ever?)

So for 2010, here it is. I'm going to continue (no trying here, it's do or nothing) exercising seeing as I've lost weight--finally! I will continue pursuing paying freelance gigs and may already have some things in the works early in the year. And as for my novels, I WILL continue to get those together.

Happy New Year and see you in the '10!!

On a side note, why is it everytime I look at the number '2010' I picture The Jetsons or Space Odyssey or something like that? Shouldn't we be walking/flying around in silver space suits?

Signed,

Wimpy Mom

I finally said the "B" word

Yup. It's come to that. I finally told my husband it's time to get on a budget. Instead of looking at me like I had a third eye, he agreed.

My husband actually agreed to a budget. Wow!

I honestly thought he would rather abstain from sex for a year rather than go on a budget. Now that makes me wonder if A. Our sex is that bad or B. He's tired of living paycheck to paycheck too. (I'll take B. for $200, Alex.)

I was always afraid to go on a budget but not for the reasons you may think. No, I don't spend friviously on shoes or clothes or even nails. I didn't want to do a budget because that would force me to actually see what we spend as opposed to what is coming in. For the first week I would have to say I was in shock. The second week isn't as bad. So far we have saved for everything (including bills) we need WITHOUT hitting the ATM and that, my friends, is an incredible feat within itself. We were even able to spend less for foodand celebrate my youngest's first birthday without breaking the bank.

That said, I wish we would have done this sooner. Now the real challenge is can we keep it up for the long haul?

I'll keep ya posted.

Signed,

Wimpy Mom

Back on track

The past few weeks have been a struggle, to say the least. But the great news is that I'm back on track--with writing, with the cookie business and most importantly, with the family.

For some reason everything started falling apart the past few weeks, hence why I haven't blogged in awhile. It seemed like everything was crashing down and the kids even started acting up. It's like they're on a timer. As soon as things get rough, they become that proverbial icing on the cake. Hubby and I were fighting like cats and dogs (I know, a writer should be able to come up with a better cliche <>) but I have a baby who is about to wake up in 0.4 seconds. No time to think.

Anyway, things seems to be settling. I've even gotten 4 chapters in my new WIP, plus, I've started working out with weights again---something that I seriously needed for physcial as well as mental health.

Gotta head out. (Sorry for the errors. No proofreading time either.) I kid you not, the baby is crying. Welcome to the life of a wimpy mom.

Found my long lost love again...

Writing.

For the past few months I have created The Cookie Mill, which is a company that delivers baked goods---on a small scale, of course. This has been and still is great. It's been difficult at times with the kids and all but great for pulling in some needed extra cash. I would still like to take this to a higher level but that'll come in time, I believe.


Here's the thing, before I started that, writing was my passion. With the market as it is I had decided to take a break but have never really stopped thinking about writing. If you are a writer, ideas float in your head while watching television, taking a shower or even changing your kid's diaper. And for me, that has been happening a lot lately.


That said, I've decided to do both. I am still heavily involved in dealing cookies but now plan to incorporate a bit a writing into the program. So in essence, I'm back.


In the meantime, I have just created an oatmeal brownie I want to try out on our menu. Does it look good or look like something my 10 mo old threw up?


I suppose the fact that my 2 yr old is hanging on my leg yelling, "yummy!" means something:)

Signed,

Wimpy Mom

Trudging on

So it's been awhile since I last blogged--and there's a good reason for that. I was busy. That's it. No other reason except that I've been busy trying to do the cookie thing AND run a household with 2 small kids and a 7 year old, who just had a birthday, btw.



With starting a new business, I've gotten away from what this blog was originally about and that is my family so I want to talk about that right quick. Here's the run down.



1. I have been going stir crazy with a teething 9 mo old who doesn't respond to mothers pulling out their hair and yelling SHUT UP! at the top of their lungs. If only.....


2. I've recently introduced my 2 yr old's behind (palm of hand, side of leg, side of arm, whichever body part I can smack with a squirming toddler in my arms...) with a sturdy, wooden ruler.


3. I've figured out that 7 year olds will do anything for a buck and that includes keep an eye on 2 kids while mommy gets some Facebook time in.


4. I've also figured out that as you get older, having kids wears you down like an eraser on a bad term paper. (Yes, I know folks. Forget the fact the fact PC's are used. You get the idea.)





That said, I've found a way to create a decent chocolate chip brownie. Wanna see a pic? Too bad. Here it is anyway.

So far, great feedback.

Signed,

Wimpy Mom

OMG! Am I crazy?

This few weeks has been ridiculous--so ridiculous I can't even sum it up in words but I'll try.

The cookie business is slow but steady and at this point, I like that. With 3 kids (2 of them being a toddler and an infant) I find myself going stir crazy at least 3 times a day. The funny thing is, I run a business out of my home so when the phone rings and the kids are acting up--of course you know that's ALL the time--I have to take the phone into another room, shut and lock the door and answer in my professional tone, "Thank you for calling The Cookie Mill. How can I help you?"

In the meantime, I just hope my 6yr (soon to be 7 this month) and my 2 year old aren't beating the living crap outta each other while my 9 mo old is playing with electric outlets that I would swear I plugged up. (There's always that one in the corner!)

Anyway, the madness seems to be paying off. Last week I got a feature article in The Tribune, which is a daily local newspapers here. I hadn't expected a FULL page but there it was and I couldn't have been prouder.

So for now, I suppose I'll keep this up. Regardless of the chaos, it feels nice to have my own money up in here:)

Signed,

Wimpy Mom

Finally, some good news!

Writing for me has been all but pushed to the side for a minute--although, today I received a rejection on a query I had sent back in early March. (Are you kidding me?) But The Cookie Mill has been plenty busy. Last week I had record orders and before you get too excited, I need to clarify I've only been open for business for 3 weeks. The ad placed in the local newspaper definitely helped.

Then last week I get an e-mail from an editor from a local taste section in The Tribune, a local newspaper, saying they were impressed with my site and asked for an interview. Needless to say, things may be picking up. Then this week, things died down again but that's the usual case for people coming off of the weekend. Tomorrow will hopefully be better. If not, then last week was a fluke that I very much enjoyed. (At least until the sugar cookie incident.)

Here are just a few treats I did from last week and even had repeat customers. Yippeee!!!!!!

Mini cheesecakes w/a creamy chocolate drizzle

Double stuffed chocolate brownies

The "Do not touch" sign was for hubby

Signed,

Wimpy Mom