A deep breathe....and an added giggle...

I'm not going to even say I've been somewhat MIA this week [me saying that is actually saying that right?}...I've not been writing anything {like I'm some writer but you get where I am going right ~ those that write blogs know what I mean}...

but mostly

I've been MIA{mentally MIA} from my husband....

MIA from....my girls....

MIA....from work...

MIA...from friends....

MIA....{and this one hurts bigger than all}....

with giving God my complete trust...and this is a completely different situation in case you are wondering...some days I feel like when it rains, it pours...

and then I look at the "rains" and know matter-of-factly...it could be much, much worse you know. I've seen and experienced worse!

So I must say ....deep breath....take a big deep breath....

regroup...

keep calm and carry on! {I love that saying! and if only I could do it 100% of the time...which just letting you know beforehand it didn't happen these past two weeks with this issue}

What has happened...

I had placed orders with some wonderful...all wonderful businesses over the last month or so...some were spread out...days apart...others weeks apart with shipping just because of various reasons...

all sent via the postal service {and as I am writing this I am ironically seeing a postal commercial in which it makes me cringe right now}...

And the first package...

didn't receive....NOPE...even though tracking indicates so....didn't receive it....

So I let both the post office and sender know...thinking perhaps it was just a mistake by the post office...because I did receive a package from someone completely different the same day...home at time of delivery so nothing was taken off of my porch...First of all...who would take just 1 package out of 2
Secondly, I was home!

Okay so spent a week trying to locate this package...talk to neighbors and those that our addresses used to get mixed up when we first moved here 4 years ago because new subdivision, etc.

NOPE...pretty much said nothing the post office could do....

So sender is very patient and understanding at the time...gave her what I had found out with conversation, etc.

Package is resent...in the meantime 2 other orders were placed before the first went missing...mind you not knowing this would get worse...

So...one of my packages takes 2 weeks to even get to the STL area...odd...very odd we both talked about...but arrived in the area and let them know I would let them know ASAP when I received it because they were worried even before me...I didn't bother checking and Monday comes and goes when it should have been there...so I checked the tracking since I assumed since it was in our downtown area...it should arrive soon to our home so that is why I didn't check the exact date it was scheduled for delivery...

The Number said delivered...not in fact delivered...I was home at mail time...no package...and I e-mailed the first person since she was supposed to re-send, etc. to get tracking info because my stomach dropped when I saw this happen again, and I got scared...that number said delivered on the same day too...

I AM FREAKING OUT!!!! HUGE! BIG! BALLING MY EYES OUT...I not even kidding...and not saying it that way for dramatic reading...just ask hubby...I was a basket case...I've been consumed...MIA from my family and the outside world trying to get this figured out over the phone...

So I hesitantly contact someone I had ordered from and wasn't sure if she sent my order because I was going to put a halt to that and give hubby's work address...can't even use my parents since they have the same mail person as me {same subdivision just farther down}...

And well she was so efficient with her work and sorting orders she mailed it and I should have received it Monday as well....my heart dropped...

So not ONE....not TWO...not THREE...but FOUR packages {one of them resent from someone so 3 orders} are MIA right now...

Not only am I mortified...I am horrified because most who know me...know that I am business owner...I understand everything a personal business does...I promise I understand EVERYTHING...

Some more facts?

Can you tell I am about facts....{I was pre-law in college so facts are a great language for me}

My normal carrier on both of those days was not working but a substitute....so that should say something huge...but I guess not...

3 out of the 4 were said delivered but were not because I WAS HOME...and NO PACKAGES there...I tell you I am a HAWK with the mail...I always have been and got that from my Dad...if we knowingly see mail delivered...right that instant we ALWAYS grab it! Lets just say I could possibly be diagnosed with OCD if ever checked...because I cannot stand not addressing mail the minute I see it...it definitely drives Bobby CRAZY...literally...{mail makes me happy and so much easier to order from people you want to support than walk into a crazy store where you don't enjoy shopping...that's why I enjoy what I do...I shop in my comfy pajama clothes....HA!}...

I have filed numerous reports with 3 reference numbers and the postal inspector's office tells me everytime they will get back to me in 2 days...NOPE...BIG FAT NOPE on that one...and so I call back...got yelled at because I questioned the fact to the customer service rep that I would like an update on something since I was told 2 days...NOT 2 days...and I asked why...
 and if it really was going to be 2 days...at first he didn't acknowledge I even asked him a question in which I asked him why he was ignoring me and in a yelling tone I was told...you just have to wait 2 days!....and I can tell you have I waited two more days and nothing....

Then I am told by my local office there is nothing they can do because the inspector's office will get back to me in which 1 of the 3 I talked to before I got hung up on mind you...and had to start the 1-800 "push those stinkin' number thing" all OVER again...told me the local post office would get back to me...HUH?

I have talked with the USPS supervisor since I don't get returned call from the postmaster EVERY DAY FOR TWO WEEKS pretty much...nothing...the substitute carrier said they were delivered...and someone is lying...albeit in transit to my house...the sub carrier...or neighbors who are not forthcoming...

So now what?....

I realized Thursday of this week that I may never get an answer...BUT I will never quit trying....not getting your mail is a BIG deal...even though those items are just "things" in life....they are "lovelies" to me...and being violated with things taken from you is the bigger point here...

I have to give this to God...and allow him to do his work...

I have figured out the reason this has made me so sick is that it not only hurts me....but I am trying to explain that this hurts these wonderful women who are sending me these items and their businesses too...it's not just me it hurts...

Believe me...I do not want to spend my entire day almost every day {some days only a 1/2 day} on this anymore...I'd rather have my items I ordered...little lovelies I loved even before they were here...

I am mortified this hurt my ordering reputation with these businesses because I just adore them...I have gotten to know these wonderful women with their writing...and I have tried to explain to them that I would never harm them...I am an honest person...and that I am working NONSTOP to try to get this resolved...because quite frankly...I rather be enjoying my vintage items than having people make me cry...getting yelled at...seeing these businesses lose money...

Well two businesses have worked me with so well on this issue...one so gracisouly refunded my order in which I have to find a way to help her because it breaks my heart...she is one of the sweetest and my most favorite blogs to visit...and the other is the same...and without even thinking about it she set aside replacements for me when I see her very soon...now that is exactly why I want to support these women...I cannot even describe what their understanding and believe in me has meant...

Really how kind are they?...so I am so thankful for everyone that has supported me...my poor friend who happens to be a neighbor simply called me about a dessert...she just asked how I was and I broked down balling on the phone...which if you know me...I am so embarrassed because I don't cry in front of others...you know part of that bottling things up unless it is my rock solid people like Bobby and my parents...

and I felt so blessed today as I took a break from calling and doing everything I can to find out anything....went to my mother's group...and they are praying over this situation too...and their wonderfully nice kind words because they know me and the kind of person I am...

I thanked God today for a new day to start over...I have let this consume me...I don't do well with things I cannot find a resolution too...I have a hard time just giving those things to God...but the love you receive from friendships when you need them I have found through this situation has just brought me to tears...I received an amazingly nice e-mail from a friend who just felt my pain for me and telling me she is praying over this too...you cannot get better than that.

A realization came a couple nights ago when talking with my mom...she just simply said...Martha listen to their {the girls} laughs...and that is what it was took to get me to snap out of this funk....obsession ...

I took a deep breathe...listened to the giggles from my little girls...and said a prayer that God will help me release this to Him...

To be quite honest...I know these are "things"...and such...I've been through worse...but I am trying to explain this not only hurts me not receiving my items...but it is hurting those senders who sent me my order BIG! I am having a hard time with that...but I also know I am not responsible for this...

Maybe some lessons learned here...

I encourage everyone who is mailing to not just track a package but maybe think to insure it too. 

Friday when I asked my mother's group for prayers was hard for me...I don't ask for help or prayers...and when I received help with a listening ear from my friend across the street... I felt warmed...and her Grandmother who was an Ex-Postmaster told me not to give up...because yes something happened to these packages...because I cannot have it to where I can never receive anything again...

All this was ordered before I knew a problem existed...so I have been told by some...just don't order...well I never would have if that happened...I mean these are gifts. Bobby and I wanted to take the initiative to support businesses like myself for Christmas not big chain stores...so many were gifts...some were items for myself...so that is definitely my solution for now...or to have it shipped elsewhere...a simple and quick solution I am doing...

BUT...I cannot stop living my life either and not ever order anything again...to be quite frank...I'd rather order online or e-mail someone with an order than step foot into a chain store where there is clutter and chaos...I did mention how I don't do well with that...yet I have always wanted to try out Black Friday...which doesn't even make sense, right? I guess that goes to show you I may in fact be nuts:) to want to try that day...

...and I still realize I don't do well in situations I am not able to find a solution for...or cannot control...

Thank you to those who have shown me, loved on me, and most importantly those businesses who will always be dear to me for believing me and in me through this situation...your kind words and understanding has meant the world...

...And if you really read this ENTIRE post...well I will extra enter you into my 100th post celebration coming up!!! Oh I promise I will enter you in an extra 3 times for my rambling...I'm just saying...I have so much to post about but everytime I sit down to write...this situation is what comes out...

By the way...these pictures are from hubby's birthday celebration night...dinner and gifts...and wishes...

I have been so caught up in finding solutions everything has been neglected and I became an obsessive, emotional person over this...I don't like that...so if you are someone who would take the time please say a little prayer that the right person comes forth with information I would truly love that:)

...this is a crime with what has been done...anything that didn't fit into my mailbox...I never received...

a prayer for those businesses that this happened to as well because it didn't just harm me...

A week to be thankful this week...that's what I'm doing:) Blessings to you all!

By the way...that gorgeous burlap banner is from {here}....and the coffee-stained tags are from {here}