Mistake #1

Well it happened, we all knew it would. As much as I like to think I'm perfect, and I double check my work, I made a mistake. The good news is nothing has been ordered yet, so the client doesn't technically have to order the draperies that I screw up the pricing on. But in the design world, an ethical designer will honor his or her price and have to eat the rest. In this case there's no eating, just not making enough on the markup.

I called my designer at 3pm yesterday to tell her the bad news, and left her a message giving her some of the details. She still hadn't called back after dinner so I called and left another message. During this time I was going through intervals of shaking, nausea, trying to tell myself that its all cool, that its no biggie. Then she kept not calling, so I am thinking she's mad at me, and I'm fired for sure, and my whole business will collapse. Surprisingly I was able to put it aside and get a good nights sleep, but there it was staring me in the face at 6:30 this morning. Again with the shaking, and tummy ache, and a great amount of dread. Believe it or not, I decided to workout to try to forget. Of course she called right at the end when I'm so out of breath I can't talk, but I answered anyway. She was super sweet, and said not to worry, and that shit happens. And she said she knows I probably lost sleep over it, but not to worry. I didn't lose sleep, but there definitely was suffering.

Another lesson learned, quadruple check EVERYTHING, especially that big stuff.

NLJ

Another Year Older

Another year older. This was not a milestone year, but looking from the outside in, seems to be a much larger number this year, and considerably closer to my first "over the hill" party. Birthdays don't bother me typically, I embrace them and am proud of my age. But this one has definitely caught my attention, that's for sure. Now I'm old enough to remember when my parent were this age. See, that's what I mean. That's just weird, because I still don't see myself as an adult or parent, and should not be entrusted with the responsibilities that come with adulthood. It just doesn't seem like I'm old enough.

Anyway, work has slowed quite a bit. I need to drum up some business this week. So, what's the plan of action you ask.....good question. I think I'll send out some of my letters that explain me and what I do to perspective designers, and then maybe go hang out at IMS just to show my face. Beyond that, I'm a bit at a loss. I'm still feeling the after effects of my birthday this Monday morning.....not quite motivated. It'd be so much easier if someone would just call me! Come on!

NLJ

Home Improvement?

One more story to tell you for this week. Remember how I said I'm going to be doing some "sprucing up" around the house this week in preparation for my birthday? Boy have I opened a can of beans. More like a can of spackle. Who knew just switching out the towel bar and toilet paper holder in a bathroom could be so difficult? The screws were stripped on the originals, so I had to pull them out of the wall, along with a huge chunk of drywall. I've been spackling and sanding for two days now, and still haven't even started to hang the new hardware.

The other project that is really getting my goat is a little art project (sort of) for my bedroom. Have you ever heard of Uppercase Living? Its one of those companies that has parties at people's houses and you go and buy stuff. Typically one of my worst nightmares, but I actually liked a few of the things they had. Luckily I was saved by a snow storm so I didn't have to go to the party, I just ordered. I bought three flower pictures, and they are transfers or decals and you stick them to the wall essentially by rubbing a credit card over them. Someone had the idea to put them on canvases so you can take them with you when you move. Great idea! So I went to the store to get 18" canvases, they only have two and I need three. So the next day I go to the Coon Rapids store and they have one. I buy it and head back to The Grove to get the other two. When I grab them I notice they're two different brands. No biggie. I go home and start rubbing that credit card like a crazy person, and it all goes well until I hit the off brand canvas. It won't stick. Gah. So head to Minnetonka. No canvases. The next day to Edina. No canvases. They get a truck load every Thursday but they don't know what's on it. So I'll check again on Friday, if there are no canvases.....pray for the gals at Joann Fabrics and don't make me check the Woodbury store.

NLJ

Good Food and Great Parking

The Husband and I went out on the town on Saturday night, and actually let The Boy stay at my brothers...over night. I know. I had high hopes. We were invited to a wedding, and thought we'd make a night of it, baby free. The wedding was beautiful, we somehow got a parking spot in the front row, which was great because my feet were already throbbing. (We aren't really into high heels at Paperwork Design.) Before the reception we snuck over to a local bar and had a beer and a Cabernet and a plate of some of the best chicken wings known. All was going great. We even got a front row parking spot again, which is a rare deal in that part of town. Then off to the reception, which again was beautiful, a killer meal, and again we got a front row spot. We're really thinking we're pretty cool at this point.

I probably should've started this story with a little background. The night before our big night out, we headed to a friend's house for dinner and a little drink. Well, a little drink turned into too much, and so we stayed the night. Very classy I know, but very smart indeed. The next day I rallied and was ready to rock that night. The Husband thought he was ready to roll, but things changed. The headache he thought he evaded came back with a vengeance at about 8:30. We left the reception, me not knowing why, and wondering where the night will take us....maybe the fancy, upscale bar by our house, maybe the sushi bar that we love, but never go anymore because The Boy hates it......heck, I'll take TGIFriday's at this point.

"We're going home," said The Husband. Sigh. He tells me about the headache, and I understand and feel bad for him. I'm a little sad, but we can have a beer or two at home and recap the night's events. Nope. As soon as we walk in the door, he heads upstairs, has his shirt off, and is brushing his teeth by the time I catch up. "Hey, Honey, are you just changing your clothes? Are you coming back down? Or are you going to bed....what..oh...no?" Oh. He just stares at me. So, we're in bed before 10. With no baby.

We spent the morning laying in bed yelling trigger words that we can't say when The Boy is around. You're probably thinking cuss words or the like. But it was more - SHOWER! OUTSIDE! SHOES ON! WATER! CADILLAC! DADDY'S TRUCK! If The Boy hears any of those words, he must have them immediately. It was so freeing. Then we headed out for breakfast at one of our favorite, crowded restaurants that always has a long wait. We got a front row parking spot and they seated us immediately. Great way to end a mellow, but still very fun couple days.

NLJ

PS - Who can tell I'm a little checked out of work?

There Are Other Crazies Out There

This weekend I met a gal (am I from South Dakota or what?) who is also going through a mid-30's life crisis. Well, its not a crisis, but there's just that great need for change. Whatever you want to call it. Anyway, she is packing up and moving her entire life to Atlanta, GA. She's a small town girl from North Dakota, she's also a designer, but she does commercial design. (If you want to make any kind of money in this field, I recommend commercial design, but to me, it just doesn't seem as fun as residential.) She's a pretty, single, thirty-something, and is sick of her job, the weather (who isn't), and sounds like the selection of eligible bachelors around here is a bit lacking. It was nice to talk to her, and get her feed back that what I'm doing is the right thing, and I am in full support and completely understand what she's doing. Sometimes its just nice to hear other people are going through similar situations, and I'm not a complete nut job.

My big house job has slowed, I handed in the official estimate on Friday. We're waiting to hear back and hopefully get a check this week. We still have wallpaper and rugs, but I think the bulk of my hours are about through for this big doggy. I'm looking forward to sending out a few letters to try to drum up some work, but let's be honest...my birthday is Saturday (like you didn't know) and I'm going to be sprucing up around the house a bit, maybe getting some new shoes, probably throw in a mani and a pedi, and just down right preparing for my favorite day of the year.

NLJ

My First Dollar

Remember how people in the olden days would frame their first dollar they made in their business? Well, in today's world we take a photo of the check, block out any pertinent information, and put it on our blog. In the spirit of privacy, all details are blocked out, including the amount, because that's just rude. When asked how much money you make, Daddy always said, "Not enough." Anyway, rest assured, its a real check, written out to my real company for a month's worth of real finger breaking assistantship. I can't believe someone bought this kookie idea.

NLJ

****Updated 2 minutes after posting original - I just chickened out and took the photo off of the internet. Although all was blocked out, I still freaked. Who knows what kind of fancy programs thieves out there have that can read through blocked out areas on photos. All I need is for my new favorite designer to get robbed... right. And then what? Just trust me, I got it, and its beautiful.