Closed until further notice
I made a somewhat sudden decision in the last hour. I’m closed. Not forever, hopefully, but at least for a while.
I just can’t do it any more. I sat down at 11 am to process 20 orders from the week we were in the hospital. It’s 4:00. I’ve had to stop twice to pump, and even so, I’m behind in pumping. Teddy’s thrown up 5 times. I’ve changed clothes twice before I gave up. I’ve stopped at least a dozen times to try to feed him. I’m only halfway through, and I’m so stressed out that I’m in tears.
It’s just not worth it right now. I can’t keep trying to do everything, there just is not enough of me to go around. When I think about the fact that we’re starting school again in a few weeks… I just honestly don’t know when I’ll get it all done. (If you’ve not been following Teddy’s blog and don’t know what I’m talking about, my 8 month old, Theodore, has kidney failure. I pump so he can have all breastmilk, and that takes 6-7 hours total every day, including at least twice overnight. He requires frequent hospitalizations and a fair amount of time-consuming care at home.)
Looking at my inventory, I’ve been able to restock only a very few things since about this time last year. I’ve remained open through most hospitalizations, but this has only meant that I’m selling off inventory much faster than I can replace it, which is quickly coming back to bite me. I don’t have any hope of being able to do any meaningful restocking for the foreseeable future.
And certainly more important – my kids suffer so much when I’m in Iowa City with Teddy, then I get home and I still don’t have time to play with them or enjoy them because I have to try desperately to get caught back up with Wallypop stuff.
So, some details:
- Current Orders. I’m all caught up on current orders. I have a few orders here on my desk with questions, but those will go out as soon as I hear back from those customers.
- Current wholesale order. I will finish and mail out as soon as possible, hoping for this week.
- All current inventory. I don’t know. Give me a few weeks, I should have some sort of plan. I’m either going to re-open with some sort of new plan in place to prevent an emotional breakdown, or I’m going to sell everything off and reclaim my basement.
- Outstanding made to orders. I will complete these as promised.
- DiaperFAB remains open. Fabric orders are really easy and straightforward, no sewing required.
- Baby Registries remain open and I will complete those orders in a timely fashion, as per our agreement when you opened your registry.
- Questions? Please ask.
Posted on July 22, 2012, in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. 6 Comments.
I hope this decision will help ease some of your stress.
Have you thought about maybe hiring a local teenaged girl to come in and help you one or two afternoons a week? If you don’t want/need help with the kids, she could clean up the kitchen, fold laundry, vacuum, whatever would help you out a bit? Just a thought. Sending good thoughts your way…
Hi, Karen. I’ve thought about it, but the older kids are not really a barrier to getting work done. They’re remarkably good while I’m working, usually, and are also pretty accustomed to entertaining themselves since I usually work every afternoon. The problem is that I’m working so much to try to make up for lost time that I don’t have any “leftover” time to just enjoy them, to do fun things as a family.
We will pray that this decision will bring comfort to you in trying to manage it all.
I think you have made a good decision, Sarah! Don’t know how you have done it for this long with Teddy. You are an amazing woman, and know that God has a special plan for you and your family. Praying for good times ahead for all of you!
my thoughts and prayers are with you. I hope the peace you need comes with this decision.
Sarah!!! I’m so sorry to hear that your child is ill. Oh my goodness! Don’t worry about business. Your family is most important.