Health Scare

Last week was the scariest week of my life. Let me start this story back in September though. I had been having these pains in the upper right portion of my tummy for months. On the night of September 11th I had had enough and went to the ER. They diagnosed me as having a bad gallbladder that needed removed immediately. The following day they removed my gallbladder and I went home a couple days later.

After the expected recuperation time of 4-6 weeks I was still having those same pains in my stomach. The dr's were not sure of what was causing these pains but they kept doing tests. Throughout the months of October through December I had CT scans, MRI's and many more tests.

Meanwhile I had began taking shorter breaths due to the pains. By Christmas I was noticing it was hard to breath at times. But my stubborn self just kept working through the pain and now shortness of breath.

Finally on Tuesday January 4th I made an appointment with my doctor regarding the shortness of breath. By the time I got to the doctor that day my heart rate had elevated(220s) and my breathing had gotten very very bad. The doctor called an ambulance and I took a ride to the hospital with two very cute EMT's. By the time we got to the hospital my blood pressure was 148/108 and my heart rate was 235.

I was admitted to the hospital and was diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia from not taking full breaths from the pain. Also I had let it go too long to the point I had sepsis (blood poisoning). They started administering major antibiotics through IV's immediately. I slowly started feeling better until Wednesday when the pain in my stomach started getting worse.

On Wednesday afternoon I went into respiratory distress and quit breathing. The nurse called the "rapid response team" to my room over the intercom. Before I knew it they had several dozen people squishing into my hospital room and they began CPR. I did not have to have chest compressions. But they classified it as CPR due to the artificial breathing for me. Luckily my breathing started to regulate itself just moments before they were starting to intubate me.

I stayed in the hospital until Friday the 7th. I am now home trying to recuperate. It is very hard for me not to be up and about. I am always baking or promoting my shop. Right now it is a new learning experience for me to learn to take care of myself. I am not sure if Megs Creations will ever be reopening. That is something I will have to think very hard about.

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Pies in a Jar

New item in the shop this week. Pie in a jar. Yep you heard that right. Yummy homemade Pie in a Jar. Eight flavor choices at this time.

Cherry
Apple
Blackberry Blueberry
Peach
Pumpkin
Triple Berry (raspberry, blackberry, blueberry)
Pecan
Chocolate Pecan

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The Evolution of Megs Creations

Wow how the last 4 years have flown by. I remember sitting at my kitchen table drinking my coffee. Thinking to myself how I had completely burnt out on the childcare industry. Absolutely love the children but it just wasn't the right career path for me.
Knew I wanted to do something with food. Had been getting compliments about my baking and cooking for years. In high school at culinary classes I discovered this passion of mine. Just never know where to take it.
Until that morning not so very long ago. I decided I would create some mixes in jars similar to what we used to give as gifts when I was a child. I fiddled with recipes for almost 6 months. Then came that first season of craft shows and bazaars. Oh how I learned from those first shows.
Then one day a friend told me about Etsy.com. Sounded interesting and something I should check out. I even got on the site and set up an account. Couldn't think of a name because I wasn't really sure what I would be selling yet. Thought oh Megs Creations sounded good no matter what I sold.
Well I got busy with life and forgot about that account I set up. Then one morning when I was a little down on myself. Sitting there drinking my coffee. Going crazy taking care of 8 kiddos 50-60 hours a week. The local news did a story on a few etsy shops that were run by local stay at home moms. Then suddenly I remembered that forgotten shop I had set up.
Decided right then to bake a ton of stuff and get it in my little Etsy shop. That was August 2008 and wow have we grown since then.

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wow it's been a while

Wow does time fly when you are busy. I have been so busy lately. We recently moved, which was at first very stressful and pretty depressing to leave the old house. Now that we are settled in here at our new home its not so bad. We are temporarily in a condo for a year at most. The kids are adjusting better than I thought they would. Sure they still miss the huge yard we had. The rainy Washington weather is here. So that has helped a little with the yard issue. My husband was laid off last week until March. He is a mason and has normally worked through the winter but not this winter. His company said the economy is just not good enough to support the construction industry through the winter in the Northwest. He will get unemployment but we will definitely be struggling. So every sale in my shop helps us alot http://www.etsy.com/shop/megscreations

I will be putting a lot more time into all of my ventures. My hubby will be home to help with the kiddos and the house. Therefore leaving me more time to spend at the bakery creating lots of new treats. Megs Creations has really expanded locally. I am so excited about some of the upcoming projects I am working on. In December I am selling my cookies and other goodies at several local Christmas plays. Since hubby is home I have also found more holiday craft shows/fairs to sell at. I will be at 808 main st Vancouver Wa on the 27th, 28th and 29th and in Milwaukee Oregon most of the weekends in December. Which I can take local orders of cookies or mixes now for pick up on those dates.

Also will be working on many new flavors of cookies and mixes. Soon I will be listing more spice mixes. Instead of all the beans and pastas for my soup mixes I will be listing only the actual spice packs for the soups. With lots of new flavors in soup spice packs coming soon. Also many new crock pot meal mixes coming soon.

Well enough of me rambling. Please check back soon for sneak peaks of some new goodies.

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Redoing Pictures Sale

I am once again redoing my pictures. I want to make a listing for each individual mix I offer. In the pictures for these new listings I will have the jar of mix and the final product. Like if its dip mix then there will be a picture of the actual dip all made up and in the same picture will be the jar of dip mix and likewise for all the other mixes. I think if got pictures done for all mixes than I would finally be satisfied with my pictures. Below is what I have now for pictures.Well it's just kind of boring. I think with more dramatic angles and the picture having the final product in it as a prop will be much better. So therefore I am running a sale for all my quart jar mixes. Only $10 with free shipping, (not to be included with any other offer). And my dip mixes and pancake mixes are all $6(dip) and $8(pancake) all with free shipping as well. I will be listing lots of new listings this week with a generic picture like below.

But if you don't see a certain flavor listed at this super great deal of $6-$10 yet. Then just let me know and I can make you a listing. Check out my shop for over 100 flavors then let me know which one you want at this super cheap price and I will make you a listing. http://www.megscreations.etsy.com I want to get as many pictures and new listing done as possible. I will be running this special all this week. Then after that I won't be offering any sales for awhile. So you better jump on this great offer now.

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Balancing Act

Sometimes I feel like I am doing a balancing act. I always have too much going on. Between being a mommy, wife, school and running a business that has so much going on by itself. Sometimes I read other peoples blogs for inspiration. I read about so many work at home moms who seem to have this all balanced perfectly. How do they do it? Time management of course is huge. I really try to stay on a schedule and keep up on my to do lists. Yes plural, I have so many to do lists. It's kind of a joke between me and my husband. He teases me about all the lists. But with so much to do and so little time sometimes it is necessary to keep everything organized with lists.

Lately I find it really hard to keep motivated and stay on my routines. Being a stay at home mom running my own business it can be very easy to let time get away from me. The summer here and so much to do with the kiddos also doesn't make it any easier but oh well. We have done so much this summer, movies, library, parks, playgroups. Having the daycare has always kept us at home. Now that I am not watching kiddos we can come and go this summer.

I have so many ideas right now for the holiday season. I feel like I am in a mad rush to make sure this holiday season goes well. Been working on finalizing my craft show calendar for the rest of the year. So many venues to pick from. Trying to figure out where will be the best for my business can be so overwhelming in itself. Portland/Vancouver area has such a huge community of wonderful artists that naturally we have so many great craft fairs to pick from. I have never done any of the bigger juried craft fairs. Been mainly the schools and church craft fairs so far but I feel like it is time to step it up and go for the bigger juried venues.

Which leads me to needing banners, flyers, new biz cards and those sort of things. Been hard at work with all the promotional and label type stuff for Megs Creations. It's so much to think about. I feel a real branded look to a business is so very important. Which I have almost achieved. With my business being so many different layers (etsy, wholesale, local, catering and craft shows) it can mean a heck of a lot of different labels, tags, flyers, cards, biz cards and such. I have been trying desperately to teach myself some graphics programs but I really have no idea what I am doing or what programs to even look for. Have worked with a couple people for the graphics I have now but not completely satisfied and I need so many more items now. Therefore I have no choice but to try and figure it all out. But this graphics stuff is all way over my head.

Wow I need to stop ranting. I think I have gone on enough about my latest ventures for now. Will be working on many new mixes and cookies this weekend. Hubby has promised to help take photos all Sunday afternoon. So stay tuned for new stuff early next week. I haven't been this excited about new flavors for a long time. Think exotic fruits and many new spice mixes.

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New mixes!

I have been working on many new mixes. I have finalized the recipes. Now to just take pictures. Hopefully by the end of the week I will be listing goji berry muffin mix, new pancake mixes, new dip mixes and so many more.

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It's been awhile.

I haven't blogged in awhile. Not because I don't have anything to write about. I have just been way too busy. I acually have many notebooks full of writing that I need to organize and type and I would have so many blog posts.

Summer months have been super busy with lots of weddings to cater. Dessert/cookie buffets are an awesome way to feed your guests at any wedding. Let me know if you are in the Portland/Vancouver area and would like to discuss Megs Creations catering your wedding. Also have been working on many other ventures for Megs Creations. I am putting together a promotional sampler to take around to many of the local coffee shops, boutiques and resteraunts to try to drum up some more wholesale contracts.

I also have been busy with the kiddos. Regal Cinemas has the free movies each week that we have been going to. Check out if any theaters near you have been participating Family Free Film Festival http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx?state We have also been going to the library and playgroups alot. They were so used to being aroung so many kids from my daycare. Now with the daycare closed I am trying to get them as much interaction with other kiddos that I can.

Anyways I am gonna try to blog more. Hopefully you will be seeing some tips, recipes and many more blog posts coming soon.

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Megs Creations defined

Been struggling lately with where I am going with all this baking and mixes. I love it so much and definitely want to make it into a very successful business. The way things are right now is making me go crazy though. Between my wholesale orders, my local orders, craft shows, my etsy orders and now with wedding season all the catering orders. I love each and every one of these ventures but this has really boomed into more than I can handle. Need to figure out what my focus will be for now and run with that. I have so many great ideas for new recipes and can't get them made fast enough. Been jotting down notes constantly. I have so many ideas for blog posts half written out. I have so many recipes that just need that final testing.

So you can see my dilemma. I am just way overwhelmed and that is not even counting all the other things going on right now. How do you focus? How do you find your motivation? Ultimately how do you decide which would be best for you and your family? How do you let the things you just dont have time for go? Something obviously needs to change. I have an assistant but still I can't get everything done. I have so many passions that I just want to pursue them all but not enough of me to go around.

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Price changes

So I am doing a complete overhaul of my shop. Tomorrow I will be closing my shop for a few hours(10am till about 1 or 2 pst) to change so many things. I will be editing my policies, all my descriptions and lots of photos. My packaging is changing as well. Right now as things are in my shop I am not making anything at all. I have struggled with the decision to raise my prices. I have no other choice if I am going to make this a successful business though. I am not out to make a fortune or anything. I am a licensed and fully insured food processor and not just a little home baker anymore. My prices need to reflect my professional bakery and quality ingredients used.

Right now my jars and cookies are a super bargain. So take advantage because unfortunately the prices will be changed to the below prices by tomorrow afternoon. Go take advantage of some great deals http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5858455

My jars will only be listed in these quantities. I will gladly do custom orders for other quantities but to keep things organized in my shop these will be the listings.
Glass quart jars
Single jars $8 plus $6 shipping
3 jars for $22 plus $13.50 shipping
6 jars for $40 plus $25 shipping

Pint jars
Single jars $6.50 plus $4 shipping
3 jars for $17 plus $9.75 shipping
6 jars for $30 plus $13.50 shipping

My cookies will now be listed in 1 or 2 dozen listing only. I would love to do custom listings for other quantities but I will only be keeping listings of 1 or 2 dozen in my shop.
1 dozen standard size cookies will be $10 plus $7 shipping
1 dozen new cookie mini bites will be $6 plus $4 shipping
2 dozen standard size cookies will be $18 plus $9.75 shipping
2 dozen new cookie mini bites will be $10 plus $7 shipping

There will also be a whole new line of mixes which will get listed tomorrow and wednesday.

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New packaging sneak peak

Here is a sneak peak of my new packaging. Most everything in my shop will now be packaged using these chinese takeout boxes and using the pink and brown polka dot motif. The prices and quantities/sizes will also be changing quite a bit. The mixes will be dramatically changed. Prices for shipping will be so much better. The cookies are now going to be sold at much smaller quantities but packaged like a beautiful present. Will be blogging and officially revealing the new packaging over the weekend.

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Packaging Update

Received my new packaging. There has been a couple issues with size. I am brainstorming different ideas to make the tons of bags and such that I ordered work until I can buy some things that are larger. I believe I have figured out how everything will now be packaged. My whole goal has been to help save on money and lower shipping costs. The glass jars are not profitable for me. Shipping is so high. Actually looking back at the numbers over the last couple months I am not profiting anything.

Friday morning I am going to be changing a lot of things in my shop, including prices. I have struggled along time with the decision of raising my prices. After finalizing my licensing and insurance this last month my overhead went up dramatically. Therefore I have had to brainstorm some new ideas to make things more profitable for me yet still make it desirable enough of a price to encourage sales. My cookies will be packaged differently and listed in different quantities starting friday morning. Also my jars will only be limited to approximately 25 varieties still available in the glass mason jars. I am discontinuing at least 30 flavors of mixes. I think 125 mixes is just too much right now. I also will be packaging differently my mixes. Therefore there will be a whole bunch of changes to my mixes.

The mixes I am discontinuing are:

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate Covered Raisin Cookies
Strawberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies
Orange White Chocolate Chip Cookies
Scottish Shortbread Cookies
Sugar Cookies
Chocolate Pecan Chewies
Chocolate Walnut Cookies
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
Peanut Butter Chip Brownies
Butterscotch Fudge Brownies
Molasses Cookies
Lentil Soup
Black Eyed Pea Soup
Tortilla Soup
Gumbo
Chicken & Rice
Santa Fe
Chicken & rice
Greek Lemon Soup
Cajun Chicken Soup
Maple Muffins
Biscotti Mix
Multigrain Pancake Mix
Gingerbread Pancake Mix

The above listed mixes are $12 total with shipping for a limited time only.

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Wordless Wednesday

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Heartbroken

My grandmother has decided to go back to her house and stay there. There is nothing I can do. We went today to see her. I had been very concerned about her all week. She just sounded awful on the phone but she is so strong and independent. Today was a real scare. She has lost so much weight in such a short time, she can't be more than 100lbs now. The later part of this week she was at home all by herself. Which is my biggest worry right now. Today I wouldn't leave till someone came to be with her. My grandmothers niece, my second cousin, came to stay the night with her. My aunt is going to go tomorrow and stay with her for a while. She demands to stay home. Which I don't really blame her. Who wouldn't want to just stay home in there last days. Especially at the beautiful ocean. But she would be so much closer to most all of her family up here. I just worry about her there all by herself. I am going to do everything in my power to beg all family to just take turns and we can make sure someone is there at all times. I just can't bear the thought of her by herself anymore. Not after what I saw today. This fucking cancer is progressing so quickly now(sorry for the language). It's not the death that I am hurting from. It's what she is going through until then. So much pain, complications and just the stress.

Yesterday my 3 year old asked me if mema(his name for my grandma) is dying? I didn't know what to say. I avoided the question for now. He must have overheard me at some point. Now I am definitely watching what I say around the kids. Not that I haven't been, but now I am being really really careful. Now I am trying to think of how to explain this all to him especially but really both of my kids. How do you explain death and cancer to a 3(4 next month) and 2 year old. My children are extremely intelligent. They are quite close with her and they get that she is sick. Soon I am afraid I am going to have to explain the death part. I am lost at what to say. We are a christian home and believe in heaven but I have never explained any of that to my children. How do you go about explaining death to preschoolers?

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March Madness Comes To An End!

Wow this has been a crazy month indeed. Happy to see it coming to an end and am going to go int o April with a whole new perspective. I have been really moody and gloomy the last week. I am one of those people that can't say no to anything and so I am constantly way too busy. Today was really nice. Spent the whole morning just playing with my kids. Then taught my baking class in the afternoon. Tomorrow I have a lot planned. I am going to finish my spring cleaning list. Been meaning to update everyone on alot of stuff but haven't had a chance but am going to take a moment now.

Grandma update: health wise not much has changed. Which actually is really good. The cancer has spread to her liver, spine and her remaining lung. But she is still doing really well considering. I admire the courage and strength she has.

Daycare/Preschool update: I am still unsure what I want to do about this. Right now I am licensed for daycare but inactive status. I have still been watching my cousins two (1 yo and 2 yo) full time . Also been watching another 2 year old little girl part time. So that's 4 toddlers 1 - 3 years old full time and 5 sometimes. My ideal situation would be to not have any daycare kids here full time but to only do preschool for 6-8 kiddos in the mornings. Right now financially I can't do this. But going from 6-8 toddlers full time to 4-5 has been great. I still have my helper girl coming 10-15 hours a week too. No daycare today and tomorrow which has been a much needed break.

Migraines update: I had almost 2 weeks without a single migraine. Which made me really hopeful that things were under control. But this last week I had 3 migraines and almost every day had at least a dull headache. Waiting on a call back from the hematologists office for results from last weeks appointment. I have a feeling my platelet level is really high again. That means meds change, lots of side effects:( and lots of iron. But hopefully we will at least get down to the bottom of it. I know alot of it is stress but not migraines this often and too this extreme just stress.

Life in general. Have finals at the end of April which means all my papers/projects are due by then. So will be extremely busy with school for a few weeks. Also have tons of church activities planned this whole next month. Wow looking at my planner for April you would think it is a schedule for a small army but just mine, lol.

Etsy/Megs Creations update: Oh I could go on and on here but it is getting late and laptop is dying. Will finish this part in the next few days because I do have tons of things coming up to announce for Megs Creations. But for now I am off to bed.

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New Packaging

I have been experimenting and researching alot lately with new packaging for my mixes. I have my jars listed in glass quart mason jars. Which weighs a ton and costs so much to ship. I have been experimenting with plastic containers, bags and such. The plastic containers really don't weigh all that much less. Or I haven't found any that are that much lighter. Bags seem to be the way to go. I am trying to save a little money to purchase some bakery/food bags from www.uline.com A few weeks ago I got the uline catalog in the mail and have picked so many things out to get when I have a chance. I use styrofoam peanuts right now and just hate it. With going to bags that will eliminate the need for those. For the orders that are still in glass jars I would like to get some of the biodegradable starch peanuts. That would make me feel so much better.

I think I will still offer my mixes in the glass quart jars which are very popular for gifts. The layered look, fabric topper and ribbon make the jars very decorative and pretty. For those just wanting the mix for themselves and are not worried about the "look" I would like to offer a cheaper packaging and shipping alternative to the glass jars. I have found some nice bags but now I have been working on somehow labeling and decorating the bags. What I need to do is get some more graphics made, but again have to wait for more money.

One very exciting thing to announce is that I am now 100% licensed and insured in the state of Washington as a food processor. I have been working on a blog post about the whole food processor licensing experience and process. So stay tuned for that.

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Gift Certificates Today

As part of my March Madness SALE get a $5 gift certificate with all purchases today. Good towards any future purchase in my shop.

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10% Off Sale

Today I am offering 10% off all orders excluding shipping. Please add 10%off in your message to seller and I will refund 10% immediately. As well as all orders over $20 will receive a free jar of snickerdoodle mix.

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Yay it's Friday

My special today is Free jar of Snickerdoodle mix with any order all day! Plus I have hidden 2 Secrets Find word secret and get that listing free. You pay only shipping. Just convo me if you find the word secret hidden in one of my listings.

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Special of the Day

Today I am offering free shipping on each additional item after your first purchase. I am heading over to etsy to change my shipping now. Oh and check out the Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars I made last night.

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