Sweetness of Life

In this life full of turmoil & pain
I am pleasantly surprised again & again
When things get so bad that you can't continue
Suddenly you're surrounded by friends so true
Words that are spoken or commented or sent
Straighten my perspective that somehow got bent
I try to reciprocate the best I know how
But sometimes I just sit here and say, "Oh WOW!"

Gratuitous Cake Shot

The client brought in her drawing & specified what colours she wanted the cake decorated in.

This is how it turned out!

Being a woman in a small business is not easy. We are not treated equally no matter what the statistics tell you. Even with a shining credit record we were never given any business capital what-so-ever. Turned down time & time again for very small equipment loans...renovation loans...etc. Even after 5 years in business we were not allowed a delivery vehicle lease under my name, my partner's name or even a combo of the 2 of us. The dealership told us right out: "We need a man's signature. You need to get one of your husband's to come down & sign the lease." Well, yours truly wasn't married, so I had to go & ask my Dad. How pathetic is that?! 25 years old, in business for 5 years with an exceptional credit record & my Dad had to sign for a car lease which was a mere $350.00/month with no money down.

It hasn't become any easier at all throughout the years & come April we will be celebrating our 14th anniversary. We struggled, but hung in there just the same, and for that length of time we managed to get by. But it seems to be getting harder every day. Especially since my Dad was hospitalized on December 21st. I'm the only one in the family who has a drivers license so all of the chasing came crashing down on my shoulders. (Well, my Dad does have a son, a sister & a brother who have NOT lifted a finger to help him even though they are quite capable of doing so. Most of you know the story behind that one & if you don't, let me know & I'll direct you to it.)

Another Gratuitous Cake Shot

This design was inspired by a swatch of material.

My schedule has drastically changed, working all night long to keep up with the custom orders & wedding cakes (which I SO enjoy creating...it's like jin therapy! :-) while days are spent running errands, doctors appointments & hospital visits. My body has grown surprisingly comfortable with only 4-5 hours of sleep per 24-33 hours. Yet there still isn't enough time in the day for me to keep the shoppe open to the public as I had in the past. Two days every month were "Open House" days. December 23rd was the last date I was able to have an Open House. I had hoped things would be getting back to normal & I would be able to do one this Saturday for St. Patrick's Day, but... alas... it looks as if I may have to admit my Dad to the hospital again tomorrow (Monday).

Why am I telling you all this? I do have a point! It was basically to explain why I felt the need to add the new "Donation Button" in the right-hand column. I never really wanted to have advertisements plastered all over my blog & I was hoping for a couple dollars every now & again...maybe the equivalent of a newspaper, magazine or even a cup of coffee...I expected nothing grand & even felt a little guilty for putting it up there. Well, I already got my first 'donation' & that poem up there was inspired by the very hard-working individual who left me a much more than generous tip. I can't thank you enough!

Times are tough. I read so many blogs where you're going through health/money/marital problems, etc. I feel for every single one of you & am always wishing you the best. In fact, I'm going to leave you all with a charm...why? Because I can! Read it 3 times out loud while you think of wonderful things, like chocolate!

This is my jinCharm
To protect me from all harm
Please keep my blues at bay
for the rest of the day
I will be kind to whomever I can
Be it a lady, animal, child or man
In return I'll feel so happy
Instead of thinking my life is crappy.