Madness, then illumination...or just more of the crazies?

Have you ever felt like your head was going to explode? Or maybe just spin in a complete 360 one good time? That has been how I've felt for the last two weeks. Ending in a  crash and burn episode on Saturday that almost caused me to throw in every towel in my kitchen.

So, let it be said that I have been having scheduling "issues". DIsorganization and the dire need to please everyone that crosses my path, has made for some pretty hairy situations this month. I thought two weeks ago was hell week..ha. It was just the beginning of the two week bender that I didn't realize I was already suited up to ride. After the mound of orders that I posted pictures of, the week didn't slow down...just got more weird and complicated.

 Most of my set orders canceled or postponed, leaving gaps that were soon filled by other last minute orders. I was also supposed to do a craft show appearance this past Saturday, with goodies for sale and business cards and brochures to hand out. I had a nice little menu of things to prepare for the show, and had originally scheduled off two days before the show to do all these things. This didn't end up being the case. By Friday night, I had done 4 cake orders, needed to do one more, had not started any of the craft show goodies, turned down 5 last minute orders, fielded a slew of cake related phone calls, tried to get the house ready for a carpet stretching/cleaning situation this coming Tuesday, fought with my house dwellers (family?) about cleanliness issues, fought with my husband about laziness issues, had food poisoning/stomach virus, passed said virus to child and was puked on for a day and a half, and babysat a 6 month old three days out of this last week.  I kind of had a little...teenie weenie...minor....collapse. After making chicken pot pie from scratch for a unappreciative clan of hooligans (family), turning to realize that my sister and friend had been snacking on the cookies I had yet to decorate for the craft show, and looking at the clock to see it was already a quarter to midnight...I gave it all the bird, and went to bed. Everyone promised they'd help out with this and that, and everyone scattered when it came down to getting it all done. I guess I should be used to this, but with the week I'd had...it was just a little too much. seriously. my husband's name may be Matt, but I'm the one getting walked on around here. I just feel under-appreciated.

Yeah, so I not only still had the fuck-its on Saturday when I woke up, but had a worse case of it. I had a Spider-Man cake due at 10 a.m., and didn't deliver it until 1. It looked half-assed, which was a feat, considering it wasn't even 1/8th assed. I had quoted her a price of $40, and ended up getting $7 for the cake....since I asked her to give me what she felt it was worth. :(  I didn't go to the craft show, because I had nothing to take to it. Matt ignored everything I said to him about dodging responsibility and house cleaning, blaming my anger on my own fuck ups that I was apparently "taking out on people, unfairly." If you would have called me Saturday to place a cake order, or even to talk to me...I would have told you No MORE CAKE. I sat on the computer staring at my website, waffling about pressing a few buttons and dismantling it. My husband has been complaining that this "job" of mine is getting in the way. He's only recently stopped calling it a hobby, because I threw things at his head. I have customers and deadlines. People relying on me, ordering to be done, supplies to collect. What part of that equation sounds like a run of the mill hobby to you? Guh...

I need a vacation, from this. I really love my job, and all the neat cakes I get to do. But I don't love no one taking it seriously that I have a job to do other  than pick up after their sorry asses and make them dinners and fulfill wifely duties. I feel like I have a hump on my back that contains people.  There...whine complete.

That being said: Sunday I felt better, and did a cute Speed Racer cake. I have a few days off from cake town, and a few days to collect and breath. Hopefully that will help me get a better grasp on things, because May  is already booked. and June is more than half booked. I have orders booked through September. If anyone wants to come help me make icing, you're welcome to.

R

Cakie update...hell weekend...

This weekend probably tested my sanity more than any other so far, mostly because I'm becoming some kind of local celebrity around here...and I don't want to take backward lunges in quality and craftsmanship. It has been kicked up a notch here folks...I was referred to, lovingly yesterday as Jacksonville's Ace of Cakes. wow....I know the lady was trying to compliment me...but it scared me to death. :-(

Anyways, it was a rough weekend, 2 orders each day..non were simple. Then Friday night, I get a call from a crying bride. She says she has no cake for her wedding, because the bakery that did it..did it in blue, instead of green, like her wedding colors. Then refused to fix the problem even after they realized it was their error. I was sad for her, really I was. I asked when the wedding was. She said, "tomorrow at 1."


8-O

oh...well, you know how much of a push over I am for a crying bride and cash...it threw of the schedule for the entire rest of the weekend, but I did the damn thing for her. In a night. An entire wedding cake...plus two other complicated cakes...on Saturday. I'm exhausted, but proud of myself. I celebrated with a margarita this evening, and some new hostas for my flower bed out front. I know, I live dangerously. xD

Here's the end result of hell weekend:








 wedding cake

   (inspired by Brandon smash)

  I spent at least 8 hours on this one...It is currently my second favorite, behind the white tiger.