Business Cards

I've been without business cards for almost a year now after a rip off job done by an online "friend" (I paid her and she never followed through, now will not return my calls or emails)

Whenever I go to order cards I get overwhelmed, I have a few that I have designed but each site has different size requirement, I find that strange since business cards are the same size for the most part. After hours of working on the design, I go to upload and its wrong.


Tonight I ordered 50 cards from Moo, a little expensive and I didn't need the double sided stuff, but we'll see how they turn out-I've heard wonderful things about them.

After I ordered I ran acrossed a blog called Got A Lot To Give. Its a newish blog, with some great giveaways-of course the one I found it a business card giveaway sponsored by U Printing.

Check out the site, follow them and enter some give aways!!!

Oh yeah and let me know where you get your cards from and what you like and don't like!

Grammy

My husbands Grammy died this week closing her battle with dementia. Among her items we found this beautiful picture of her on the ship traveling from Detroit to New York. I am planning on getting a large print of this and placing it on my wall. Just thought I'd share!

Still Alice

Alice in Wonderland Vintage Valentine at DaisyToad's Vintage

I just finished listening to a book on CD called "Still Alice" by Lisa Genova. The book is told by Alice, a Harvard Professor who is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease.

Antique French Name Postcard, Alice, 1906 at DogDayAfternoons

My husband's grandma has Alzheimer's and I wasn't fortunate enough to know her prior to the disease, but as she nears the end of her battle I've wondered how it FEELS to have Alzheimer's. I find myself not knowing how to talk to her or engage her, but listening to this book and Alice's progression through the disease has been a great eye opener. A must read or listen for anyone who knows someone with Alzheimer's.

Early Unused Germany Happy Memories Postcard at ChristmasAngel

Alice's journey shows her progression from being fully aware that something was not right with her mind, to not being able to remember her tea in the microwave, to her awareness of the fact she couldn't remember the names of familiar items all the way to her not being aware of her relationship to the people around her.

Forget me Not Vanity Set at retroemporium

I guess I thought or assumed that an Alzheimer's patient was not aware, I never considered how it was through their own eyes.

Check out this Poem written by Carolyn Haynali

and a prayer written by the same author

Pray for me, I was once like you.

Be kind and loving to me,

That's how I would have treated you.

Remember I was once someone's parent or spouse, I had a life and a dream for the future.

Speak to me, I can hear you even if I don't understand what you are saying.

Speak to me of things in my past of which I can still relate.

Be considerate of me, my days are such a struggle.

Think of my feelings because I still have them and can feel pain.

Treat me with respect because I would have treated you that way.

Think of how I was before I got Alzheimer's; I was full of life, I had a life, laughed and loved you.

Think of how I am now, my disease distorts my thinking, my feelings, and my ability to respond, but I still love you even if I can't tell you.

Think about my future because I used too.

Remember I was full of hope for the future just like you are now.

Think how it would be to have things locked in your mind and can't let them out.

I need you to understand and not blame me, but Alzheimer's.

I still need the compassion and the touching and most of all I still need you to love me.

Keep me in your prayers because I am between life and death.

The love you give will be a blessing from God and both of us will live forever.

How you live and what you do today will always be remembered in the heart of the Alzheimer's Patient.

- by Carolyn Haynali ©3/10/00

100% of the purchase of this Vintage Vera Neuman Scarf at BrassPaperClip goes directly to the Alzheimer's Association!

Making a Living

Never be so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.

I don't know who said this, but it sticks in my head. I am still in the midst of this process-a reorganization of life and priorities in my life.

Three years ago, I left my well paying job with excellent health insurance to be a stay at home mom. Over those three years I've struggled creating a balance. Managing my home is a full time job, especially with 3 kids and a husband who works 12 hours a day 6-7 days a week. Luckily he is a very active father when is here-for that I am blessed.

I've let my business consume my life, every spare minute is used checking emails, editing photo's, twittering, Etsy forums, researching, blogging.

I'm back to where I was. I am a work at home mom that has gotten caught up in the $$$'s and has forgotten the reason she chose to stay home.

I love my business and will continue, but how do you find balance??

Vintage White Sale

Historically white sales were believed to be held in order to keep linen and bedding makers in business throughout the slower winter season, being called "White Sales" because linens and bedding were primarily -- you guessed it --white.

Vera Tea Towels in Herb Garden Print, set of 2 at FalconandFinch for $25.00

Harvest Gold Bridge Set at DaisyToad's Vintage for $12.00

Times have changed however our love for sales has not, starting tomorrow January 1oth, the Etsy Vintage Market Team is holding their own version of a White Sale.

White Cowboy Boots at BibbysRocket for $40.00

Do a search on Etsy for vmteamwhitesale and find bargains on not only linens, bedding and aprons, but white jewelry, household and clothing.

Milk Novelty Mug from LoverlyVintage for $19.99

This sale runs through Sunday January 17th and is only found at Etsy!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Over 50% OFF the Price!

As a present to my blog readers I have reduced some of my items at OVER 50% off the price, and YOU get the first dibs. Prices are already reduced on my Etsy site for quick checkout!

1920s Drop Waist Dress in Navy blue with Lace Detail for $200 was $400

Distressed 1920s Sheer Bronze Dropped Waist Dress for $60 was $135

Dresser Set Including Brush Mirror and Comb was $52 now $25

1950s Candlelight Wedding Dress with Embroidered Crinoline with Matching Jacket for $55 was $110

Alfred Shaheen Tropical Maxi Dress Size Large NWT was $62 now $30

Are you having a sale at over 50% off? Feel free to post your link in the comments!

Food Planning

I love to cook and I love to eat, I am hoping that buy scheduling meals I will be able to cook more. I read once how much easier it is to cook and plan when you have a well stocked pantry and it is SO true, but it can be expensive if you try to do it without a menu plan. Food Is Fun CookBook by AntiquesGaloreGal for $5.95

I've tried everything from weekly family meetings, to family members planning meals, to cooking once a week or cooking once and eating twice (that doesn't work if you have a husband who eats all your leftovers for his evening snack!)Country Festival Casserole Dish by SouthernLadysVintage for $16.00

My newest thing to try is something that was suggested to me by a mom of 7. Theme nights. And the meal doesn't have to be a perfectly home cooked meal, your family will survive if occasionally you have Macaroni and Cheese or soup and sandwiches sometimes. Sometimes good enough is okay.

Monday Mexican
Tuesday Italian
Wednesday Chicken Night
Thursday Frozen Pizza (my work day so we have an easy meal)
Friday Crock Pot Meal
Saturday Pasta
Sunday Pork or Fish

Pizza Felt Food by PickleThings for $27.00

This definitely needs some tweaking and it may actually come to a set menu every 2 weeks that just alternates, but this will get me thinking and hopefully begin me on my road to organization!

Bon Appetite!