The world of a Start Up Business

It's so hard trying to break into the Small Business Market when you have no finances to do so, but really don't want to take out a loan either.

I know I have a good business model. I just need to finalise my business plan and really ham that up a bit. I've looked at some government scheme, but for them, I have to work full time 35 hours a week. So min 7 hours per day, while being a full time parent - I just could not do that. I don't qualify, and I refuse to put Tara in full time day care to do that. It's not fair on her.

If I wanted to set up a shop, and such things, in some respects it would be easier because we would be out of the house, and I could look after her and have her with a play room - and work a full 35 hours a week. But the costs involved with a physical location just would not work. Too much money.

I need to win lotto. Or a grant. Though I would need to apply for them. Argh. Need to finish the business plan.

At least I have come across a few online locations (as well as physical addresses) where I can get some information. Hopefully speak to an advisor (and I have some contacts for that anyway).

It's just a bit of a nightmare.

Does anyone who reads my blog, have information on setting up business and services and any tips that I could use? I would be grateful for any pearls of wisdom!

How cute would this be?!

Tara could have a matching fairy costume for "Baby" (her new doll)

eep!

Random Stuff.

As you call all see, the new design is up and functioning. There is still stuff I want to do, but I will get to that slowly.

But, in the meantime - I lost all of my blog links when I changed formats, and now I don't have the old ones at all! I am going via my memory, which is shocking! If your blog is not on the side and it was previously, or if you would like to be added, or if you would like to be removed could you let me know?

Also, can someone please explain - in real laymans terms, all about RSS feeds. Please? :)

The bottom end.

It's amazing that everyday normal folk are changed into weird creatures once offspring come along. I never really understood the whole Parents Are a Different Species thing.

Until I found myself sharing with Ally our daughters Other End.

Yes, we are attempting Potty Awareness. I loathe to call it Potty Training or Toilet Training because she is not a dog, and I don't want to traumatise her over the Porcelain Throne. Instead, Tara is now nappy free most of the time at home and I just encourage her to use the toilet. I thought I would give you an insight of our days.

Tara runs around naked (or at least bottom naked) and runs up to me holding her crotch screaming at me "Oh no! Oh no!" (it is really humourous actually!) and I look at her and say "Quick! Potty!". Off she scurries with all the determination of an elite athlete running the final 10 metres! She backs herself down slowly on the big blue potty and finally sits down.

For all of two seconds.

Then she screams at me ("ughugh!") and gets help getting out of the chair. We do this 20 times or more a day. And every single time the potty is dry. Bone dry. But we celebrate her sitting on the chair (because she used to be terrified!) and we start the process again.

That was until last night.

Tara did wees on the potty! And we did a VERY big happy dance. Whooo hoo! She came and told me she needed to go. I knew she did because she'd been farting and going through the above potty dance for at least 20 minutes. Finally she sat there for a bit longer. She watched a bit of TV and then I heard a noise. At first I thought she'd just farted again, but she jumped out of the Big Blue Potty herself and started squealing in delight! She was pointing and dancing and laughing. And to be honest, so was I. A wee in the potty - that she instigated sitting on in the first place. Whoooooo hooooo!

So imagine my delight when she did the Potty Dance this morning while I was cleaning and she ran and sat on the potty and all of a sudden I hear behind me "Oh, WOW!" I turn around to see the biggest poo ever in the potty! Golly Gosh! Was I ever so happy that she caught THAT one in the potty! Much dancing, squealing and singing occured. She was very very happy. And so was I.

Maybe this summer we WILL manage to do the Toilet Awareness!

The end is near - and so is a new beginning

So the end of the year is coming very quickly. I cannot believe how close it is.

There is so much to be done in the lead up to christmas. I wish there was more time (and money!) but it's just speeding along so quickly! I have worked out what I am doing for pressies for most people, but I still need to finalise it - and buy them all!

Today we had a lovely party at the park with our playgroup friends. It was a lovely day, switching between slightly overcast and hot. The afternoon ended with a pretty fierce storm complete with thunder and lightning. We had lots of fun with all of our friends and it was so lovely to sit and just relax. I did nothing much at all (other than eat and talk) but was utterly exhausted when I got home. I even managed to keep Tara away from the playground most of the day without much trouble (no hat, no shade, very hot and it was too far away from the conversation!). I loved catching up with S, M, P and baby A. So much time flies in 6 months.

I need to do some hefty work on Mamaluna in the next week. I need to sew and send out my tester nappies. This is a lot more possible now that I have official branding cloth tags! whoo hoo. very exciting. Mental note: need to call the printers about my business cards! The website is almost done - kind of. I need to get some photos and start making some of the other merchandise. Oh, and I need to get my tins, fleece and PUL. Soooo busy. I would love to get a lot more done however 'cause I am really feeling the need to bring in some extra money. Hopefully it is not too unrealistic to want to sew and make around 150 nappies over a 4 week break. Scrap the week of christmas, so that is 50 nappies a week... I might be pushing it, but hopefully it can be done!!!

Tara is doing wonderfully. For her birthday she received some money from Granddad and Nanna-Yvonne and some money from some friends. We got her a new doll and a necklace from Nanna and Granddad, and from our friends we used the money to get a book. Well, the book is by far the favourite pressie out of everything. It is called "My Little Word Book" and is wonderful!! She carries it around and reads it over and over again. She can point out about 60% of the photos in the book. She can say "s-ooooos" and "bay-bee" and "mummy" and "tar" very easily. We just need to get her to start pronouncing some other words. She talks non-stop, and most of the time we know what she is talking about. The fact she uses her hand signals so much is a big help too!

All in all, everything is going pretty great.

Now to just remember to update this blog some more!

Upgrading the blog

Please be patient while I upgrade my blog

I think I might have stuffed it, but I'll continue to work on it! :D

Now... to find out how to put an horizontal rule under each day...

Christmas Gifts.

This is what I want Tara to get for christmas. or at least. This is what I want *someone* to get Tara for christmas. LOL

It is Le Van Toy, Fairy Tea Set. you can buy online

My Bouquet

Is ruined.

Yeah - bit silly to mention it now - I hear you saying. The wedding was two months ago.

The thing is, I tried to preserve it using some information I had online. if i Had just hung it up outside it would have dried and I would still have my beautiful bouquet.

Instead, I have a tub with mouldy calla lilies. I have so very upset.

Ally's buttonhole is perfect.
My bouquet is rubbish.

Not even remotely salvageable I do not think. I could not bear to really look at it.

I just want to cry.

Happy Birthday Tara

3.37pm. That is the moment you took your first breath. And every moment since then, you have taken my breath away.

2 years on and you are so amazing, the way you help me see the world around us. Nothing is ever black and white any more. Everything is seen in a kaleidescope of toddler-coloured-glasses. Who knew that the lid on the bottle of water was THE most important part of having a drink. And did I really understand the consequences of folding up the dirty towel you were leaning on?

Your fiery personality sparks inside of me something so primal. The protection of my baby, who is no longer a little baby, but rather a little girl with the world in front of you.

Each day you surprise me with how girlie-girl you are. The fact you adore dressing up, putting on my shoes, or dad's boots and we cannot leave the house without spritzing mum's perfume or deodorant. Don't get me started on the lip gloss fanaticism.

You adore your babies and love to carry them, and feed them (breastmilk of course!). Your new "ergo" is going to serve a great purpose for you!

We still share our special moments of breastfeeding. Usually in bed, in the wee hours of the morning. You call out from your bed "mama.... mummay!" and reach out longingly into the cool morning hair aiming for me to lift you from your bed. We snuggle in and as I lay you on your tummy, you let go and go back to a peaceful slumber.

As we aim towards the next 12 months your dad and I hope to change our lives a little by the introduction of a new sibling. You've started taking and interest in babies, and have even started saying the word when you see them. Fascination has taken your hand, and hopefully, as you get bigger and understand more, you will welcome a new being into our lives.

So, on your second birthday, darling daughter of mine. I hope you have a wonderful day. Try not to scream at your dada and I too much, and maybe share a cuddle, an "I-am-super-cute-look-at-me" cock of the head, and if we are really lucky - blow us a kiss.

We love you with all of our heart and adore watching you grow and change and become such a beautiful loving little person.

We love you.

Happy Birthday.

It's terrible!

It is so terrible. How much I have neglected this blog. I just have been busy and tired and then feeling horrible for not blogging and so I don't blog LOL.

I thought I had better just break the ice and jump in again.

So many things I need to blog about that have gone on, but I can't think of any of them right now!

Tara has her birthday party on Sunday. Am very excited. Butterflies and fairies.

Ally and I have been both working hard on our respective new businesses. I ordered brand labels today for my nappies.

I've got the money to order my microfleece - I wish I could pay for it now LOL. but the shipment of fabric has not come in yet. I should have just told the lady to keep her money when she paid for some work - I'm just going to spend it going back to her!

I have submitted my artwork for my business cards. I hope I get the celloglazed ones, but if not, I will be happy with the value cards. Can't complain about freebie cards.

Sunburn sux. My back is itchy and starting to peel.

I now own a snap press.

Tara is still not really talking - I think she may actually have a tongue tie. But as I have said elsewhere, maybe I am just projecting my fears - though having done some research it seems more likely she does have one. would explain a lot of issues in the beginning.

Not long until christmas. I am looking forward to it - though it's going to be me sewing a lot!

I miss Ruby and Alice tonnes. I miss the closeness we had during the wedding phase.

Um. can't think of much right now - but at least I have broken the blogging drought.

xx