I must be psychotic, huh? Best year, worst year, which is it?
After I became a Christian, I started reading the Bible. It says that trials produce the strength to continue (endurance). The act of enduring creates a strong character and that I am blessed when I keep going (enduring) when times are hard and there is an eternal reward from God for those who continue in endurance (perseverance).
Amazing!!! So, after reading "the worst year of my life" post...I decided to add on to that because in another way...this new character developing in me makes it the BEST YEAR, too! My husband and I have a renewed love and respect for one another that would not have come without this difficult time. And that is just the beginning, I know as we move out of this trying time, we'll be able to see even more clearly the good that God will bring out of this mess. Ironically, when one goes through a crisis, one finds out which friends are the "keepers"...and we have truly been blessed by INCREDIBLY loving friends and family.
SparklePuss has a bright new future ahead. This week, we are entertaining our first wholesale account in Charleston, South Carolina. That is really exciting since we've really been dragging our feet about retailing...but with the help of this very enthusiastic buyer, we are establishing a wholesale program for brick & mortar stores to be launched soon.
Our concern is how do we grow, but not grow too fast (or too slow)? One day at a time, I keep telling myself! Glassware and a few scented sales are in the near future...stay tuned!
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Worst Year of My Life
Well this is going to be a downer...this has been the worst year of my life. I'm really not sure if I should even reveal this personal information and I'm a little bit nervous. But at the same time, I can't help but think it might help someone else who may feel alone and drowning in their own financial problems. There were nights I thought I would die from anxiety...but I'm here to tell you, I made it and YOU WILL MAKE IT, too!
Me and my family have experienced a total financial collapse over the past 12 months...which has involved losing our home and filing bankruptcy. Why do I tell you this? Only, perhaps, to encourage someone else out there who might be going through something the same or similar.
If one is going to play the game, one should know the rules...and beware. Last January one of our personal credit cards raised our minimum payment. Since it was over $1,000(!) we were not able to make that payment...which started the snowball rolling (down hill). Not making the full minimum payment put us over our limit...so we incurred over-the-limit fees AND late fees...which exacerbated the minimum payment, which increased the over-the-limit fees and continued the late fees. Once one gets behind like this it is nearly impossible to recover...which is what happened to us. If this weren't bad enough, our interest rate was raised to 33%! I had heard of this happening, but never really thought it would happen to me! The house of cards came falling down.
Of course, SparklePuss.com got caught in this downward spiral because the production manager (me!) was spiraling downwards! But we are happy to announce that the light at the end of the tunnel has shown on us!!!! What a relief to end the plague of usury! Though we feel embarrassed and somewhat ashamed, at the same time, we know others must also be going through this...and may need a listening ear. Feel free to email me.
Our sincere apologies to you wonderful customers who have placed orders in February & March but have yet to receive them. THANK YOU very much! Your order will be out to you very soon!
So here's to a fresh start...and improved delivery times for you!! Thank you very much for your support!!
Me and my family have experienced a total financial collapse over the past 12 months...which has involved losing our home and filing bankruptcy. Why do I tell you this? Only, perhaps, to encourage someone else out there who might be going through something the same or similar.
If one is going to play the game, one should know the rules...and beware. Last January one of our personal credit cards raised our minimum payment. Since it was over $1,000(!) we were not able to make that payment...which started the snowball rolling (down hill). Not making the full minimum payment put us over our limit...so we incurred over-the-limit fees AND late fees...which exacerbated the minimum payment, which increased the over-the-limit fees and continued the late fees. Once one gets behind like this it is nearly impossible to recover...which is what happened to us. If this weren't bad enough, our interest rate was raised to 33%! I had heard of this happening, but never really thought it would happen to me! The house of cards came falling down.
Of course, SparklePuss.com got caught in this downward spiral because the production manager (me!) was spiraling downwards! But we are happy to announce that the light at the end of the tunnel has shown on us!!!! What a relief to end the plague of usury! Though we feel embarrassed and somewhat ashamed, at the same time, we know others must also be going through this...and may need a listening ear. Feel free to email me.
Our sincere apologies to you wonderful customers who have placed orders in February & March but have yet to receive them. THANK YOU very much! Your order will be out to you very soon!
So here's to a fresh start...and improved delivery times for you!! Thank you very much for your support!!
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