After remembering how incredibly convenient this is when trying to update people, I decided that it couldn’t hurt to post a quick update. People keep asking where we are and what in the world happened to the soap. Ignoring them probably isn’t nice, and emailing everyone individually isn’t very realistic right now, so I thought well, perhaps, I’d try on this old hat and see how it fit.
So, let’s see if I can fill everyone in.
1) WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE WE?!
That seems to be the most popular question. Right now, as of this moment, I am sitting in our apartment in Texas. Yes, in Texas. And yes, an apartment…
The move to Nebraska was all planned out…until…well, see question 2.
2) WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE WE DOING?!
Me, well, I’m just going to law school. Kinda like I’d planned all along until the whole monkey wrench got thrown in there. Fortunately, that monkey wrench has now been removed from the mix and put back on the tool shelf. Or hopefully in the trash because it was certainly NOT a helpful tool.
I received my full funding for summer and most likely, will receive my full funding for fall. The lack of funding was the cause of all the troubles we were having, so this means we are back to the world of stability again. And not a moment too soon. That was beyond frustrating, I must say.
The kids are being kids. Swimming, playing, and of course, dancing. Dance recital was yesterday. We were only gone for a week, so they were able to fit nicely back into their places on the dance team. Yesterday was their third dance recital and just like the first two years, they were amazing. I love competitions, but there’s something special about recital. Without awards on the line, the kids are more relaxed and we feel less rushed. It was awesome.
As for Jose, well, see question 3.
3) WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SOAP?!
The soap was put on hiatus after…well, after things got a little out of hand. I wasn’t going to write about that, but I know people are wondering, so let me deal with it as quickly as my rambling style is able.
Basically, some people didn’t agree with how we were handling the soap business. They also didn’t like some of my personal opinions and beliefs. And then, to wrap it up, they made some accusations that were totally false. Because I was already feeling pretty down about losing my scholarship and the part I played in the financial troubles we were having, the comments they made had more of an impact on me than they would have had they been made under different circumstances. More of an impact than I think was intended. So, I made the decision to stop making and selling soap until 1) we had done all the research necessary to prevent being blasted like that again and 2) I was strong enough to handle the blasting should it occur!
After taking the last month or so to do some thinking, I get it now. The whole world isn’t going to like me and I don’t have the time or inclination to persuade them to. Their comments said more about them than they did about me. And my reaction said more about me than it did about them!
So, what is Jose doing? Making soap. Lots of it. For you. No lip balms, lotions, or anything else because we just don’t have the time to jump through hoops right now. But soap? He’s all over it. Stay tuned for ordering options. Things have changed just a tad.
4) WHEN ARE WE COMING HOME?!
Well, I don’t know. I always thought I couldn’t get out of here soon enough. But between the law school and the feeling I get every time I watch my kids perform, I’m not sure. Things are a little up in the air right now because of law school technicalities. I have to do certain things at certain times in certain increments or they don’t let me eat. :) I need some paperwork that I can’t get without meeting requirements that, by the time they are completed, may put me past the deadline to do my visiting semester at UNL.
And we have a life here that wasn’t easy to walk away from. Even for a week. Yes, we were excited about going home, but we cried the whole way there. We have two homes now and that’s not going to be changing no matter where we physically are.
5) DOES THIS MEAN THE BLOG IS BACK?
Possibly. But it will be hit or miss. It’s not going back on my “To Do” list because that thing is waaay too long. And it will be different this time. I know now what I am capable of and being insulted and harassed are not talents I currently possess.
The blog will have updates. As in, I’ll let you know where we are. :)
It may have a few pictures. It may have a few projects. It will definitely have soap. But I’m not a blogger. I’m a mom/wife/student who likes to blog occasionally. So, there may be nothing new for weeks at a time. And then there may be a week with three new projects a day (don’t hold your breath!). But right now, I’ve got babies to raise and papers to write and that needs to come first.
The soap store will probably be back up within a day or two. Not a day has gone by that I have not received email from people asking about the soap. Where can they get it or more recently, why can’t they get it? Thank you all (yes, I still put a space between those two words…things haven’t changed that much) so, so, so much. Knowing people believe in me is one of the best gifts ever. People are good. They really, really are. Thank you for reminding me of that right when I needed it most. :)
Love,
Star
