IMPORTANT!!!

***Items in red have been edited/updated from the original post.


Yeah, I know I'm terrible about keeping this thing updated...  But I came back to post this today, because it's important.


I'M MOVING AGAIN!!!


Yeah, not what you wanted to hear, I'm sure...BUT...it will be my last move for a VERY long time!


As most of you know, I'm an "Army Wife"...and it just so happens that after we just moved to a bigger place (in September '10), my husband's military job transfers him to another office.  300 miles away.  


This move is...well...interesting.  


It just so happens that my ex-husband (who lives in the exact area we will be moving to) recently took a job in Austin, TX.  He starts this job in early March, and offered to let me buy "our" house back for the mortgage payoff.  (Odd arrangement, I know...but a SWEET deal.)  My husband (the current one...LOL) started his new job today and will be staying at the armory or with friends until we are able to physically relocate into the house at the end of February when my ex moves out.


This is going to be a stressful time for me, as my husband is gone, and I have to handle the housework, children, packing, and preparing for this move...alone...  All while trying to run my business.  Granted, this will be my third time having to do this (in the past two years), so you would think I'd be a professional mover by now.  LOL.  


I feel even more bad for my husband, who is basically bumming it right now...living out of his office and/or with friends (as opposed to staying in a hotel) to help us save up some money for this sudden and unexpected move.


Anyway...with all that said, this is how business will be running...  (I've made a bulleted list so you won't miss any of the details.)

• I'm doing some major multi-tasking these days, so turn around time will be slightly longer than usual.  I will post regular updates on my Facebook page.
• I will be taking orders through Monday, January 31st.  The shop will close down (only temporarily, of course) at 12:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 1st.  The Etsy shop will still be there, as this is only a temporary hiatus, but it'll be in vacation mode so no new orders can be placed.
• I will continue filling orders and will not pack up my office until ALL ORDERS have shipped.  (So, never fear...your packages will ship out before the actual move takes place.)  This is part of the reason I'm closing down several weeks before I actually relocate...to give me time to tie up all the loose ends (without worrying about a constant flow of new orders pouring in) before packing up my supplies.
• I will be traveling a lot over the next couple of months, so the number of post office trips I make per week will decrease.  (I currently make 3-4 trips per week.)  The days I am home will be spent filling orders like a mad woman (LOL), and my travel days will likely be the days I use to ship out packages (since I'll already be on the road and all).
• During this time, it is strongly suggested that you correspond with me via e-mail instead of through Etsy.  Etsy is just a pain in the butt to log in to all the time (especially if it's just to check messages).  E-mail is easy...desktop, laptop, iPhone...it's always easily accessible no matter where I am, which means quicker responses.
• It is ESTIMATED that I will re-open somewhere around mid-March or so, however, this may vary, depending on how the move goes.  (We have some painting and small repairs to make on the house before I can re-open.)  Again...keep up with me on Facebook for the latest update on re-opening.

Anyway...  If you have any questions, feel free to comment or send me an email (hificosmetics@gmail.com).  I'm so blessed to have such wonderful customers, and I thank you all for your continued patience with my family's military life!  It really means so much!!!

Operation Christmas Furlough...and some randomness.

Hey, everyone!

A huge thanks to all of you who supported Hi-Fi Cosmetics this past weekend!  I got a ton of orders, and I'm working really hard to get them all filled and shipped!

The listings in my shop will be scarce tonight...but expect everything to be restored within 24 hours.

I'm making another trip to the post office tomorrow.  If you placed an order and it ships, I will be sending you an email.  :)

Keep in mind that I will be out of commission a good part of the week due to my aunt's death.  I appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers.  Thanks so much for your patience during this hard time for my family.

My husband is also leaving on military duty on Friday.  Don't worry...he's not getting deployed.  He will be in Nebraska for some non-commissioned officer training for two weeks.  I'll be available during this time he is away, however, I will be scarce this weekend...as well as the weekend of the 19th, when I drive to the other side of the state to pick him up from the airport.  I do have email on my phone, and I travel with my laptop, so if you need to email me, please don't hesitate to do so.  I WILL still be taking and filling orders during this time, so you are free to shop!  I just may not be as quick to respond to emails, Etsy convos, etc.

Speaking of military duty, all week this week and next I will be donating a portion of ALL SALES to the 875th Eng. Battalion of Jonesboro, Arkansas for Operation Christmas Furlough.  As many of you know, my husband is in the Army National Guard, having served in the Hurricane Katrina relief effort, the big ice storm that came through the Midsouth earlier this year, and a 15 month tour in Iraq.  He is set to deploy again in 2011 or 2012.  I'm sure you can understand why I want to do this.

The 875th recently left for Wisconsin in preparation for a deployment to Afghanistan.  They are all trying to come home for Christmas before they head out, but the unit needs $20,000 to send them home for the holidays.  This weekend, soldiers' wives, mothers, and children stood at the major intersections in Jonesboro, AR in an effort to gather donations to bring their servicemen home for Christmas.  During this time, they had food thrown at them and many obscene and profane gestures aimed towards them.  When one soldier's daughter spoke with a woman about donating, the woman simply replied, "If your dad's going to Afghanistan, he's already dead."  There were many other negative and rude statements thrown at these desperate families while they were trying to collect donations to bring their brave servicemembers home for the holidays.  My blood boils just thinking about it.

Despite all the negativity they received, the group was able to collect close to $18,000.  Pretty amazing for collecting money on the side of the road, huh?  BUT, they still need over $2,000 to make it happen.  So, while my husband and I are making our own personal donation, I also want to donate a portion of my proceeds over the next week or two to helping these families have a wonderful Christmas.

I know many of you are not residents of the United States, so I totally understand if you choose to disregard this.  However, I will be posting this on my shop announcement, as well as Facebook and Twitter over the next week or two.

Thank you all so much for your support...not only of me, but of our courageous men and women who give their all and sacrifice so much to protect our freedom and way of life.

My husband at a wreath laying ceremony last Christmas.

Photo taken at the Fayetteville National Cemetery

in Fayetteville, AR.

My husband Aron and I

My husband (on top, by the flag), and some of the soldiers he

deployed with on his last tour in Iraq.

Thanks so much!