Business in a Troubled Economy......?

*Be prepared because this post falls under my "Rants" section.  It bothers me so much for some reason that when I got up to feed Reagan this morning it's all I could think about so I had to post on it.*

With in the past few weeks I have had some issues with some people who "run" home businesses.  I mean come on people, I could run your business a million times better than you ever thought possible.  It really is ridiculous that with the economy the way it is people who own a business don't do the things they tell you they are going to do.

I have been VERY blessed that the economy has not effected me or my family.  (Shout out to Crossville Inc. for that!)  Therefore, I do have money to spend on things some times.  So, when I contact you to ORDER something YOU MAKE at your HOME as INCOME it would be nice to #1 actually get my order, #2 hear back from you about how much my order is so I can PAY you, #3 for you to do what you say the first time and not give me 3 or 4 different shipping dates,  #4 not have you cash my check a week before you "ship" my order I STILL haven't received, #5 not have you say "Oh yeah I remember something about that. Let me look again" when I ask you a SECOND time about the order you said you would place for me almost 2 weeks ago, #6 have you actually respond to my SECOND request, and #7 have you tell me you are having issues or something or give me some sort of explanation on why it is you are such a CRAPPY business person.  I understand that people have things come up.  Trust me, with all the surgeries that I have had this year, if ANYBODY understands it's me.  I would just like you to tell me that.  I'm fine with it!  Just don't give me a bunch of crap. 

I think what bothers me the most is that these people make really good products.  I love their stuff and I would buy lots of it if they knew how to run a business.  I just don't understand how they think they can run a business the way they do.  They have such potential to make a lot of money and I feel like they are shooting themselves in the foot.  It's just irritating. 

Needless to say, I won't be ordering anything else unless they wake up and realize what they are doing.  And I know other people who have had the same experiences I had and they won't be ordering anything else either.  Which is sad.  But oh well it's no skin off my back I guess but it sucks for me too just because I like the stuff. 

Ok make up your mind already would ya!!

Verizon CEO: iPhone not coming any time soon

Verizon's CEO said the iPhone is not coming to the wireless carrier any time soon, at least until its new 4G, or fourth-generation cellular network is in place.

Speaking to investors Thursday, CEO Ivan Seidenberg said he hopes Apple will offer the phone on the carrier's 4G, or LTE network, which it is just starting to roll out later this year in a few dozen cities, and will not be completely ready until 2012.

"We don't feel like we have an iPhone deficit. We would love to carry it when we get there, but we have to earn it," Seidenberg said.

"I think 4G will accelerate the process, and any other decisions Apple makes would be fine with us. Hopefully, at some point Apple will get with the program."

Indications from some analysts have been that Apple is readying a CDMA version of the iPhone for use on Verizon in the first quarter of 2011. CDMA is the technology both Verizon and Sprint use on their current networks. AT&T, the exclusive carrier of the iPhone in the United States, and T-Mobile use GSM technology.

Both Verizon and AT&T are moving to LTE for the next-generation of cellular technology. LTE is better-equipped to handle cell phone data, including Web video and audio files, than the current third-generation, or 3G, technology. Verizon is likely to have LTE in place before AT&T, which is concurrently improving its 3G network and working on LTE.

AppleInsider reported Wednesday that Susquehanna Financial Group analyst Jeffrey Fidacaro "said in a note to investors ... that checks with overseas suppliers indicated Apple is prepared to build 3 million CDMA iPhones in December, keeping the device on track for an early 2011 launch" with Verizon.


Looks like I am just going to have to get the Droid and be done with it.  I'm tired of waiting and I sure as heck aren't waiting until 2012 Verizon!!  




 

Another Article That It's Coming!

iPhone to Verizon!

A new analyst's report says that Apple is indeed getting a version of the iPhone ready that would run on Verizon Wireless' network.

Reports last June and March indicated the popular phone is on its way to Verizon in the year ahead. Since it first went on sale in 2007, the iPhone has been carried exclusively by AT&T in the United States, but that exclusivity agreement is expected to end.

AppleInsider says that Wednesday, Susquehanna Financial Group analyst Jeffrey Fidacaro "said in a note to investors ... that checks with overseas suppliers indicated Apple is prepared to build 3 million CDMA iPhones in December, keeping the device on track for an early 2011 launch" with Verizon, which uses CDMA technology for its network, as does Sprint. AT&T and T-Mobile use the more widespread GSM technology.

Apple, Verizon and AT&T are generally keeping tight-lipped about the iPhone, although AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson Tuesday played down concerns about losing iPhone subscribers to another carrier (primarily Verizon, AT&T's main competitor).

At a Goldman Sachs conference, Stephenson said about 80 percent of iPhone users are either in family plans or using the device through their companies, making it difficult for them to get out of their contracts.

Still, two new studies — one from Credit Suisse and another from Deloitte professional services firm — replicate other findings that cell phone users would be quite happy to see — and buy — the iPhone if it were on Verizon's network. AT&T has been working feverishly to upgrade its network to deal with data demands from smart phone customers, and in particular, those using the iPhone.

Reuters said Wednesday results of a study done by Deloitte found that close to half of iPhone users in the U.S. would be "very interested" in moving from AT&T to Verizon.

"If another carrier were to pick up the iPhone, you would probably see a number of defections," Ed Moran, director of insights and product innovation at Deloitte, told Reuters.

The Credit Suisse survey said that 63 percent of existing iPhone owners would stay with AT&T no matter what, according to SlashGear, but 28 percent would defect (23 percent to Verizon, 3 percent to Sprint, 2 percent to T-Mobile).

Earlier this month, Piper Jaffray found that for prospective buyers, not having the iPhone on Verizon's network is three times more of an issue than the iPhone 4's antenna problem when it comes to holding back buyers. (The phone's antenna wraps around the exterior of the phone, leading to reduced signal strength for some users, a problem remedied by the use of a rubber bumper).

And yet another firm, ChangeWave Research, said mid-summer in its survey of iPhone 4 owners that the phone's "biggest Achilles' heel ... remains AT&T," with 27 percent of owners saying they don't like having to use the carrier in order to have the iPhone, and 24 percent saying they dislike the coverage, speed and quality of AT&T's network.

Diaper Buds

I found this company the other day online and thought it was interesting.  These are vacuum packed diapers.  They are very tiny and can fit in your purse.  The company says they are as good as any other diaper you would buy.  Right now they are having a trail offer on their website for 2 diapers for $1 until October 9th.  Two diapers for $1!  I'll try that.  I figured even if they aren't great diapers I'll have at least gotten some use out of them because they are bound to hold a little something.  I thought they would be good for us to use on shopping trips, camping trips (because they won't get wet!) or even just to keep a few extras in the car for emergencies.  I ordered them and they came pretty quick.  They really are vacuum packed in a little plastic bag.  I haven't had a chance to use them yet but I will.  We are planning a trip to Homestead Hollow in a few weeks and I may try them out then.  I'll update late with a review and let you know how it goes.  Until then check them out if you have little ones and get 2 diapers for a buck!

Help!

OK so I seriously want to change the picture that shows up when I follow somebody but for some reason I can't #1 find out where to do it or #2 just aren't bright enough to figure it out.  I've changed my profile picture but apparently that isn't the same thing.  Not sure why, but it isn't.  It really should be though because it confuses me.  Anybody know?!?!

LatiBaby

This is a post from one of our vendors at work on his blog.  His name is Henry and he is the owner Laticrete International.  Laticrete is a huge world wide company for all things tile.  When Henry found out I was preggers he sent me a Laticrete shirt for Reagan.   I finally got a picture of her in it and sent it to him so he posted it on his blog for me.  Check it out!

http://laticrete.blogspot.com/2010/09/southern-latibaby.html

Hi Mommy!

I came across this picture of Reagan at the beach and did some editing.  I just love it so I wanted to share!  :)

Almost like she is saying "Hi Mommy!"  Oh how my heart melts!

3 months!

Well here we are at 3 months with little miss Reagan.  She is doing great!  I can't believe it has gone by so fast.  Next thing you know she will be graduation from high school!  According to our estimates she weighs around 13 lbs now.  Not sure about her length but we see Dr. Blair again next month so we will find out then.  So excited about next month because we get to start cereal and baby food!  She does good at night but I sure would love for her to sleep from 8 or 9 to at least 6 or 7.  Not sure if cereal will help or not but we shall see.  Her sleeping schedule isn't too bad though.  She will normally have her last bottle between 9-10 then sleep until 4 or 5.  I don't feel like that is too bad because I have to get up at 5 anyway for work.  I'm glad to be back at work but I do miss her.  Its hard to go from seeing her all day every day to only seeing her at night.  Maybe I shouldn't wish for her to go to sleep earlier!  Its hard at night too though because Zac is still working nights.  I can't wait until he is back on days!  Hopefully it will be soon.  I got to see him more when I was home and now I wont see him as much either :(.  I will though soon.  Just a few more months maybe. 

Reagan really is starting to get a little personality too.  She smiles a lot and notices me more and more now.  I just love that!  She is a GREAT morning baby!  I really hope that continues.  It will help me so much if it does.  Her hair is still red for now.  I hope that stays too.  She has started to loose some of it though.  :(  Hopefully the new hair that grows will be red too!!  I know she will probably hate it if it's red but I will love it.

Here is some of that red hair for ya!!

 
I'll keep updating on her as we go.  I just can't wait to see her personality really come alive and see her grow.  I <3 her so much!!

As far as surgeries for me,  I go back to see Dr. Mason on Friday for my 1 week post-op.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed for good news.  I really don't want to have any more surgery.  Nor, can I afford to be off work anymore! 

Have a great rest of the week friends!!

Reagan and Carter's First Vacation!

We had a blast at the beach last week!  We had a 2 bed/2 bath condo on Okaloosa Island in Ft Walton.  Its a little bit away from the busy Destin but it was still a great trip.  It was so quite and peaceful.  There weren't many people there at all.  Probably just because school has started back and all.  We left on Friday afternoon and headed south.  Me, Zac, Reagan, Granddaddy, MiMi, Chelsea, Carter and Rachael.  We had to leave a little later because Zac worked the night before and he needed to sleep some before the long journey.  It took us a little over 5 hours to get there.  We had to stop once so Reagan could eat but it only took about 30 mins.  She did so good on the car ride.  She slept most of the time.  Once we got past Eglin AFB she decided she had been in the car seat enough and wanted to be out.  But other than that she did great!  Carter did really great too!  He slept some too but he had entertainment in the back with him so that helped.  We got there at about 6 that night and had to get in the room then GO EAT!  Which is the 2nd most important thing to do at the beach.  The first being the beach itself.  It was Rachael's b-day so we let her choose where to eat but it was too late to go into Destin so we settled with Floyds.  It was really good though. 

Getting ready to go!

We had to stop and eat

Carter "driving" Granddaddy's truck when we stopped

Look we made it!

Zac and Reagan on the balcony.

Zac, Reagan, Chelsea, Carter and I had planned on coming home on Tuesday.  Zac had to work and Chelsea had class.  But, at the last minute my dad talked me and Reagan into staying.  I wanted to stay but then again I didn't want Zac to go and be home alone.  Silly me, he probably wanted some alone time after the trip!  It was hard to see them all go though.  We vowed that next year we would all have to stay the entire time because your not supposed to cry on vacation.  Ha!

Before everybody left we did get a day to spend with out the babies.  Thank you Mimi and Granddaddy! We hit up the outlet mall, played some miniature golf, and of course rode some go-carts!  We all had a blast even though it was 1 million degrees!  And let me just say that I am so glad we go to the beach close to my b-day because I don't know what I would do with out our annual trip to the Coach outlet!  And they were having a sale this time too!!

Ready to go shopping!

We did take Reagan out to the beach and the pool everyday but we waited until the afternoon when it wasn't as hot.  She slept on the beach mainly but it was fine with me.  A couple of days we walked on the beach to pick up shells and I did see one little tar ball.  It was about the size of a quarter.  Only one though so no big deal.  There were a few BP people there picking up stuff real early in the morning but that one was the only thing I saw. 

Oh and I almost forgot the most exciting event that took place while we were there!  At about 5 am on Sunday Zac and I got up to feed Reagan.  Now normally this is a 30 min process and every body goes right back to sleep for about 4 more hours.  Well not this morning!  As I was feeding her the fire alarm started going off.  We thought at first that it was the smoke detectors in our condo.  Oh no!  It was the entire complex!  And it was freakin loud!  I was sure it was a false alarm but I wasn't going to find out with my baby in my arms!  I grabbed Reagan, her bottle and my flip flops and was in the parking lot before the rest of my family got there. Thank god I had already put my pajama pants on!  It was crazy.  There were lights flashing and the most horrible beeping noise you've ever heard.  Zac called the fire dept. and they came and checked everything out.  We heard one of them say "Clear!" and that was all it took.  Back up we went for a few more hours of sleep.  We never found out what happened though.  All in all it was about 6 when we got back to the room.  Not too bad for me anyway because I'm used to being up.  Here is a little picture of the fire truck.  Its kind of hard to see but all we had were cell phone cameras.

Needless to say we had a fabulous time.  We can't wait to go back next year when Reagan is older.  Here are a few more pics of our trip.

Big waves on this day.

Crabby but Cute!

Reagan's first airbrushed shirt!

Sandy baby toes :)

Its hard to see but its her footprint in the sand.

More Surgery. :'(

I have been working on a post about the beach but this one I really need to write.  Some times it helps me process things better after I write (or type in this case) stuff down.  It looks like I am going to have to have ANOTHER surgery on Wed. next week.  They just can't get my retina to stay on like it should.  With all the surgeries I've had it has created a bunch of scar tissue and keeps pulling the retina up.  My last option is for them to go in and remove some tissue and put a band around my eye to compress it.  Its a 4 hour surgery and according to my doc its a painful recovery.  You can read about it HERE if you would like to.  That is why they do all the other surgeries first b/c they aren't as painful.  I was supposed to go back to work on Tuesday but now I can't.  I'm really bummed about it.  I had all my work clothes pulled out and took some to the cleaners.  I really want to go back to work and now this.  I'm not cut out to be a stay at home mommy.  I love being here with Reagan and spending as much time with her as I can but I'm made to have a career.  I really don't want to have another surgery either.  This will be my 7th total.  Eventually, I'm going to have my own filing cabinet at The Eye Foundation!  I should just start writing my checks directly to Dr. Mason.  I hope he gets a beach house or something from all the surgeries he's done on me. 

Thankfully, work is going to let me be off another week.  Dr. Mason said I could go back on the following Monday.  I don't get paid or anything but that is fine.  As long as I have a job I'm good.  I just really hope this time works.  If not, I'm not sure what the next step is.  I'm pretty sure I'll loose sight in it all together.  Dr. mason said that was a good chance that by the time I'm 40 I'll loose it anyway.  It really sucks but at least I have one good eye to see Reagan grow up with.  I'm just having a hard time with this one.  The last one bothered me too but this one seems worse.  I guess just because I'm ready to be finished.  I'm tired of it.  I just wish he could fix it and i could see again but that isn't going to happen.  It really just makes me thankful I don't have any other health issues.  I just hope this other eye stays strong.  I don't know what I will do if something happens to it.  Please keep me in your prayers.  This one is going to be rough but I have to put it in God's hands.  I have to let him handle it.  Please Lord stay by my side and help me through this!