Take this job and shove it

I like to think I have some talent, whether or not actually I do. I used to really love doing design work but now, the feeling comes and goes. Sometimes I get discouraged and just can't get the creative juices going. Other times I wonder why the hell I am doing this? I mean, there are a bazillion people out there much more talented me. Who do I think I am? But the best of times, I can sit at my computer (children willing) for hours upon hours not having quick enough fingers to manipulate my mouse to recreate what I see in my head.

Now it's not like I have a whole slew of work going on on the side. In fact I have tried to get my portfolio together on a few occasions in an attempt to peddle my designs across the internet in hopes that one single person will jump at the chance to own something I have created. Fact of the matter is the most "business" I have had as of late has really ticked me off. Some of them feel my quote was too high. Which granted, it can seem expensive sometimes but most people don't know the work involved in designing. You want paper manufactured from banana trees in Ecuador? You're going to have to pay for it. Would you work for $5/hour? I doubt it, so don't expect me to. But what really bothers me the most? When I do pro bono work, in addition to having no manners, you feel you can take advantage of me. It's these "jobs" that make me not want to design anymore.

I keep telling myself that "this job" will be the last of it. That I will not be a pushover. That I will take the time for my own designs and get myself "out there". In the meantime, I have an invite to design that needs to be done yesterday.

"Baked" Goods

I have never been much of a cook (I'm working on that!) however, I do enjoy baking. Lately I have a small obsession with "fun baking" and by that I don't mean apple pie, I mean apple pie bites on a stick (that is actually on my to-bake list). I had stumbled across these mini s'mores that I just HAD TO try. One mini marshmallow + one milk chocolate chip sandwiched between two Golden Grahams = bite sized yumminess!

While these really don't constitute as "baking" as I only had to assemble and put in the microwave, I do have a few baked goods to share with you and will have more whilst on my quest for fat burning baked goods.

Thank you sir, just call me Al

While growing up, my parents taught me to address adults by their last name. Mrs Simpson, the mother of my childhood best friend, still remains to this day, Mrs Simpson. In fact, all of my friends parents are still Mr and Mrs respectively despite being a grown up with children of my own. I think the only adults I address by their first names that are not within 5 years of my age, are the family members on my husbands side. I remember quite clearly after Kyle and I had gotten engaged and invited my in-laws over for dinner, I was at that akward stage of what-do-I-call-them. Mom and Dad didn't seem right and Mr and Mrs seemed too formal (and was quickly dismissed by them) so I was told to address them by their first names. I called into the main room to see if they had wanted any coffee and I distinctly remember saying "Cathy and Mr J" It was funny but I had a very hard time getting used to the idea of first names with them. Now of course it is second nature.

It seems to me that times have changed (naturally) and children no longer use last names. I am "Nikki" to even my friends children. Not Mrs Jones, not Auntie Nikki, just Nikki. Not that I mind so much but it seems out of place for my children to use first names for grown ups and really, do I want them to be the odd kid out? Yes, maybe. But seeing that my children are now (almost) 5 and 2, is it too late to change the rules of etiquette? What exactly are the rules of etiquette now anyway? Perhaps I should ask Mrs Simpson.