WAHM vs. Working Mom

 I feel like I'm struggling and juggling with Christmas this year. I'm feeling unsure about the decision I made a few months ago to give up making girlie accessories. I'm actually REALLY feeling the financial part of it and how it has affected my Christmas giving.

 Last year I was stressed beyond about getting my holiday orders done and shipped in time and knowing that I was neglecting my motherly and wifely duties as well. I had gone back and forth in my head about it for a while. I knew it was more important to give 100% of me to my family but, now I just wanna cry because I feel like I can't give them all of things they want and NEED for that manner.

 If I was working outside the home I would make enough to pay for childcare and well, since I have 3 kids it would be really expensive so, it just made more sense for me to work from home but, what most people don't understand is that when you go to work outside the home you are not babysitting, making meals, cleaning the house, doing laundry, driving people here and there and helping with homework. You actually have time to focus on your job that pays your bills when you work outside the home.

  I had to focus on not only being  the CEO of my job but, the CEO of a household as well. What's a mom to do in this situation? Struggle financially to give your family what they need emotionally or struggle emotionally to give your family what they need financially? I have to give up one to have the other no matter what decision I make. I'm just not sure if I made the right decision.

Living Frugal

 I was never a really frugal mom until I was forced to be and now, I realize how much I was missing out on.

I always thought that living frugal meant I was being cheap but, I was sooooo wrong! It's actually exciting when I find the deal of the century and it's such a rush! I get the same feeling I used to have when buying a $500.00 pair of sunglasses or a $600.00 purse.

 I look back at that now and think how many awesome deals I could've bought with all that dough! I owe it all to my friend Stephanie who has been given the title "The Frugal Mom". She lives on a budget and hasn't purchased clothes for her kids in 3 years because she get's hand me downs from her friends! I need more friends with kids older than mine ; )

 I have networked and made lot's of frugal mom friends on facebook who share in great deals like this one from Snapfish for a 20 page 5 x 7 photobook shipped for only $1.99 what?!! Ya that's right $1.99...how many awesome gifts would these make for a new grandparent or holiday gift. I found this awesome deal on Frugal living and having fun she gives you the coupon code for this and lot's of other great deals and steals.

So my lesson today is...It's not cheap to be frugal, It's Fabulous!

Season for change.

 My kids are getting older and that means the deal I once made with my husband is almost up. We agreed that I would stay home with the kids until they were all in school and well, the princess is turning 4 this year so that means I only have 1 more year left. 

 This has made me start thinking about this little at home business I've started for myself and what my previous line of work was. I was a make up artist and since I've been home I really haven't had time to even think about it let alone practice it. I'm thinking I may need to start dabbling in make up again. I really did love what I did but, never really enjoyed selling it. I don't have a problem selling myself and my abilities but, I know I could never go back to a retail environment unless of course it was Neiman Marcus or Saks.

What does all of this mean for j.c.grace? This baby of mine that I have built and nurtured for so long? I'm not ready to give that up yet so I guess until I figure out what I'm doing with make up or what direction I'm going to take with it j.c.grace will just stay as she is.

I'm just have a little semi-mid life crisis and needed to write it down I guess. I'll keep you posted and let you know what I decide to do.

Beans and Rice EVERYDAY!

So, today I spent most of the day doing work around the house like gardening, cleaning, laundry and cooking. I say this because I'm not your average domestic goddess who loves doing these things on a daily basis. I loath chores like these and would rather play with the kids, watch some good quality television like "Chowder" and actually get some work done as in online business work.

 But, today was quite different when my husband came home. He wasn't his cranky "ugh, I had a bad day at work" self. No, today he came home in a pretty good mood. He did take a nap because poor thing has been working like a dog but, I called him to dinner and half way through the meal he leaned over and kissed me and said "Thank You". WHATHA?!!! I said" for what" he said "for dinner". Now, I know my husband is from Oaxaca and loves a good home cooked Mexican meal but, it was in this moment that I realized I had been ignoring his most basic need, the thing that shows him that I love him.  Dinner and a clean house.

 I'm no Julia Child. I simply made beans and rice, salsa with the tomatoes from my garden ; ) and eggs with tortillas but, to him spending all that time in the kitchen was like showing him how much I really loved him. Had I known this, I would've made beans and rice daily for the past 10 years!

 Now, I've got and in... hee hee. When I really want something I'll just make beans and rice!!!!!