New Year’s Resolution

January 5, 2009 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , ,

I was so surprised how this last year was much better than what I had expected for my life, Business and in almost everything.  God has given to me much more than I ever dreamed for. I quit my part time Job, bought three new machines, got some big Customers… Embroidea Custom Embroidery has been a Success! I want to thank you all my friends and Customers who gave me the support I needed in the right time, to take the right decision!

I am not talking only financially, what I have nothing to complain about but, I have gained so much more experience and spiritually talking I became a bit wiser. I grew up as a human being and learned how to forgive and forget. That was something very challenging to me, but I did it. I wasn’t afraid of saying “sorry” “please forgive me” “I was wrong”  “I tried” 

Something I will never be able to do is give up is, on being an eternal child, that is what keep me alive, I will keep on being silly, laughing at myself, I will study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly.

I started it right on the New Year’s Eve. I was feeling sad, depressed for being far from home, I cried, did some stupid things but then, I looked at myself in the mirror and thought “What would I like to do tonight? Dancing? OK I am going dancing!!! Dressed up all pretty in my long dress and when my husband came home I said we are going dancing, he said “are we?” I said yes, you better get ready! LOL

It was the best beginning of a new year I have ever had! We met a couple of friends over there who loves dancing as well and had a blast! At midnight we all popped the balloons that dropped from the ceiling and laughed a lot, at 2:00 AM I couldn’t stand my feet hurting anymore, so I took my high heels shoes off and kept dancing barefoot…

This New Year will be better than all the others. I will do some of the things I’ve always wanted to do but couldn’t find the time. …I am not going to make a promise I don’t think I can keep.  I will try to smile more… cry less. If I think something is a mistake I will just not insist on it and let it go once and for all…

I haven’t, and will never be afraid of saying, “I love you” to my friends. I will Say over and over again. They are the sweetest words in the world.

These are some of a few things from my New Year’s resolution!

But we must not forget that only a very few people are artist in life; that the art of life is the most distinguished and rarest of all the arts. – C.G. Jung

Happy New year to everybody! And God Bless us all!!!

Z

Leave a comment »

Digital Thermometers are needed…

April 22, 2008 · Filed under Special occasions · Tagged , , , , , , ,

Isabella and Mommy at the Hotel

 Hi there!

Today is April 22; I am still recuperating from our trip to Brazil.

It was good to see everyone there, but, in my second day in Brazil I lost my Grandma who was 93 years old. She was just waiting for me to say good I think. It was very sad but, I am glad I had the chance to say goodbye and kiss her for the last time.

After that, everything wasn’t fun anymore,  walking by my grandma’s house everyday and thinking she wasn’t there anymore was painful, but, oh well, what can we do, God had a better place for her in heaven where she must be right now watching out for us.

Well, when we badly recuperated from my Grandma death, two days later, Isabella, our little daughter got very sick, we had to take her to the Emergency Room. She was seem by a doctor right away, didn’t even wait for them to fill out the paperwork, the patient is more important there than any paperwork, we took care of that later. We spent two days in the hospital with her… What a trip was that…

Something that I thought it was incredible is that, after spending those 2 days in the hospital with Isabella, with all the exams and X-rays, IVs, all medicines, all kinds of treatments. They found out that she had Pneumonia.

When Isabella was finally feeling better ready to go home we were just imagining how much we would have to pay to the hospital once we didn’t have any Health Insurance there. I was amazed and grateful when we were told we didn’t owe anything because it was S.U.S, paid by the government. I was proud of my country. We are still considered Third World Country, but there we people don’t get broken if they have no Insurance. Thank Lord!

While, we were in the hospital, I noticed they still use the old mercury thermometer there, Isabella had um broken and mercury was all over the floor, the hospital needs some help with equipment I think. Now, I am trying to pay back the help we had at the hospital. If there is out there anyone who could donate some digital thermometers, that would be something wonderful. I was wondering if there are some laboratory out there who could donate some thermometers so that we can make their lives there at the Hospital Francisco Rosas in Espirito Santo do Pinhal a little easier for them to help people. If you wish to donate some, you could ship straight to the hospital or I will take care of that. God bless you!

Well, after the storm was over, one day before we came back to the USA, we had the chance to spend some time at the beach, so, Isabella got to enjoy the Atlantic Ocean for a little bit J

Right now I feel like I need a vacation from our vacation! LOL

What matters now is that, I am back to “normal” life goes on…

Work… work… and work. I have been doing tons of embroidery orders and First Birthday dresses! Well, that is something good, now we have to pay the bills LOL.

Take care everyone and God bless you !

Zileide (Z Lady)

www.embroidea.com

 

 

Isabella and daddy at the beach in Brazil

 

Leave a comment »

An Easter Little Miracle

March 21, 2008 · Filed under Special occasions · Tagged , , , , , , , ,

zi1.jpg

 

 

Oh right! Today is March 21st, four days from now I will be in Brazil with my whole family! I just can’t believe it! It seemed like an eternity since I saw them all for the last time and it was last year.

I like being in the USA, I have a wonderful family and friends here, but, there is no place in this world like “home”. If you live far away from your family, you know what I mean J I am glad that I worked hard all year around and the days went by so fast because I didnt have time to realize about the distance I am from family. My Grandma has turned 93 years old last month and she has been very ill, God knows maybe this is the last time I have to enjoy her presence in this planet and I will spend some time with her, my Grandma, the one who has been so strong all this year’s seems to be given up on living… Is so sad to hear how she has been doing lately and how is her life like at the end… Well, at least she is not spending her last days alone in a nursing home. My mom and my sister have been there for her whenever she needs them.

Today is also my little sister’s birthday! I have just called her in Brazil to say “Happy Birthday”. I just can’t believe that in 4 days from now I will be holding her! My sister is two years younger than I am and I am so proud of having someone like her to call my “Best Friend” I don’t think I would have the strength that she has, being so patient with my grandma, giving her a bath every day, helping with everything and never complaining about nothing, actually being thankful when my grandma came back from the hospital after some days in the Intensive care. Any other busy person would have given up on my grandma already but not my little sister and mommy. My hat is off for those two people who I am proud of having as my heroes. I only hope that someday, I will be able to help them all as much I I wish I could.

Well, I guess you might be thinking why I called this blog “an Easter Miracle”, well; my husband and I were in a dilemma. Some weeks ago I found out that my passport was expired, so we sent all the paperwork to Chicago so that I could have it renewed in time for our trip. Days have passed, we are getting close to leave and we couldn’t get a hold on people from the Consulate, they wouldn’t reply any of our e-mails and we were feeling so frustrated… So many things to do before the trip and now we had to face this problem with the passport…

We had decided already that Monday we were going to leave Springfield at 5:00 in the morning and drive all the way to Chicago to try to do something before Tuesday when we are suppose to leave. Ok, so all our plans had to change because of this passport! My last day as a “consultant at the other embroidery shop, all my shopping before the trip….My husband and I didn’t sleep well last night thinking about all the things we have to accomplish between today and Tuesday.

I call it a “miracle” because today, after checking the mail I was so relieved because I just got my passport back!!! What a relief! Life is beautiful again and now we can take a deep breath! I can celebrate my Sister’s Birthday, my oldest daughter’s new milestone getting her driver’s license today and the youngest one 2 years old being potty trained… I guess I am going to take my husband out for dinner tonight and celebrate this miracle! We can sleep better this weekend; life is going to be like planned again and I hope we will have a well deserved vacation!

Thank Lord for my little “Easter Miracle”!

I wish you all and your families a WONDERFUL Easter and for you, who have the privilege of having your family close to you, don’t forget to say God a special prayer because you are a lucky one! J

God bless you all!

Zileide (Zlady)

Leave a comment »

Embroidea’s First time at Taste of Home Show

February 24, 2008 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

traci-and-zi.jpgembroidea.jpgtraci-and-zi.jpgtraci-and-zi.jpgsue-and-jodi.jpg

Hello everyone!

It’s so good to be able to sit for a little bit, take a breath and talk to you guys J

Well, I feel much better now. Last Thursday was the “Taste of Home” Show at the Pavilion in Springfield where I was one of the exhibitors. It’s was crazy but I did it for the first time! Everything happened that week.

 Isabella, my baby, got the Flu and was for 4 days having high fever, I couldn’t sleep at all, having to plan what to do at the show, having Customers over, working  at the other Job… Men, I thought I wouldn’t be able to handle everything at once, I am glad I did it!

Right now I feel in peace with the Universe. Just sitting here and enjoying myself … It’s Sunday and I still have some digitizing to do, two Logos to create and some Embroidery to do, but nothing that I can’t accomplish before the day is over. As long as everybody in my family is healthy, I feel strong enough to handle anything… There is nothing worse in life than watching your child burning with fever, crying in pain and can’t do anything do take their suffering away.

The show was ok, it was snowing bad Thursday, there was a Winter Storm warning, so I don’t think we had all the visitors we were expecting but, it was a nice experience. It was nice talking to people and telling about my work. My resolution for the New Year was “spread the word about my Business” and this is what I am doing. It was nice having “The Garden Gate” and “Plaid Rooster Café” booth, right by my side. I could show people sample of Business who were wearing their Uniform embroidered by Embroidea. I could even tell that “The Garden Gate’s logo was created by meJ, what a nice feeling…  I am proud of my work. I know I am good at what I do and I know I will “Survive”

Well, I guess I better get back to work. I wanted to share what was going on while I was away for a few days J

If you have an experience to share with me, I would be so happy to hear about it. If you have already been in my shoes one day and now you are a winner, please, share your story with us! Your word will encourage us and give us strength to keep going!

I wish you all a WONDERFUL week and God bless you!

Zileide (Zlady)

Leave a comment »

Stay focused on your goal… YOU WILL SUCCEED

February 10, 2008 · Filed under business · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

my-lucky-fortune-cookie.jpg

Hi there! I am pretty happy today because some few people have been visiting my blog! That is something nice to know, I thought nobody would be interested in what I have to say. I don’t know how to use beautiful and powerful words to make my blog more interesting! Well, if I was going to write a blog in Portuguese, that would be different, I am a Portuguese Teacher, I have written a book already, but, when we have to express ourselves using another language that not ours, things get quite complicated.

I could go on and on here about the funny situations I have already gotten myself into since I got in this country. Now, 5 years later, I am getting much better, you can’t even tell that I have an accent (LOL) but, at the beginning, it was quite a challenge.

My daughter Tamy (16) though when we first moved here, she didn’t know too much of the English Idiom, nowadays, people say she doesn’t have any accent at all! I am so jealous! LOL

Ok, what I want to share with you guys today is my Fortune cookie. My husband and me went to our favorite Chinese Restaurant for lunch and when they brought our cookies, I got mine and thought , ok let’s see if this cookie will tell me what I want to hear. For my surprise, my cookie fortune was “Use your abilities this time to stay focused on your goal. YOU WILL SUCCEED” WOW! That is all I need to hear!!! I think I am going to embroider this in my brain! Yea… yea …yea… I know I don’t need a fortune cookie to tell me that I will succeed, but, anyway, it is always good to know ;-) .

Lately, I have been thinking about all these decisions I need to take about my Business but, I have to confess that I am a “chickie” sometimes. I am afraid of giving bigger steps… I think I am just cautious.

In Brazil, I was a successful Business woman; I never felt I was alone; I always had “angels” around me, helping me and supporting me all the time. I call “angels” people who were not my friend before, were not relative, had no reason to help me, but, for some reason left their names stamped in my heart and for as long as I like I will never forget them. I am always trying to pay it forward. I believe in the “Humanity” there is a lot of “bad seeds” out there, but, I can tell for sure that fortunately there is better than bad ones. We know that God is Perfect and He made us perfect as well.

Ok, you know what? I want my fortune cookie to be yours as well. The most important part of it I want to share with you “YOU WILL SUCCEED” Angels are sealing these words in heaven …AMEN.

By the way, do you want to be my friend? J

Zileide Giddings (zlady)

Comments (3) »

Small Businesses supporting each other

February 7, 2008 · Filed under business · Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

logoheader.jpg   I just came back from my weekly BNI meeting where I learn something new every meeting. BNI is a Great Network group where we help each other with referrals. I am here wondering about this crazy economy. How can we keep ourselves in business in a time of turbulence and rapid change, with customers, markets, prices, demand, and the competition changing every day? The “big guys” are getting even bigger and we, the “small guys” business are trying to survive and learn lessons. So, what do we do? We do our best offering not the cheapest service in town but, the best Customer Service, best Quality, Fastest Turnaround. What we can do as well is keep ourselves up to date and try to offer our Customers something that our competitors don’t. We, Small Business owners, need each other’s support to keep us alive through the bad times. I keep saying it over and over again, together we will survive and alone we will die”! If we need something done, we should first research and try to get it done in between us, the small guys! We must learn that, to find the success we have been working for, we must be willing to help others become successful! I believe in the power of the word of mouth, I practice it. This week, I almost got myself getting in debt buying something that I don’t need right now just because I would be helping someone who is just starting out there. In time, I realized that there is another ways of helping people. Let’s spend some minutes of our day thinking what we could do to help somebody? Let’s try our best to help each other because it always comes back to us, it is unbelievable true… We from Embroidea Custom Embroidery have realized that we get what we want out of life when we believe that we deserve to succeed. Zileide Giddings (Z)

Comments (11) »

Together we are Strong… Alone we will die.

February 3, 2008 · Filed under Special occasions · Tagged , , , , ,

Isabellas birthday cardIsabella and her cow

Today is Sunday, I am glad the bad weather is gone; we will go back to the normal routine.

Last night was Isabella’s little birthday party and she had a lot of fun with her little cousins. Right now I am here planning my week but, I cant forget that I also have to enjoy this day with my family… Tomorrow will be another day. I don’t know if I said that 3 days a week I work as a Consultant to an Embroidery Business here in town. I like it a lot working there, they are nice people but, my dream is being my own boss! Maybe this year will be “The Year” I have faith and I believe that every day, in every way, I am becoming better and better… This year will be better than last year.

Last year, many good and bad things happened to me, fortunately more good than bad things, thank Lord. One of the bad thing is, last year, my daddy found out he had cancer… and Good thing, he had a surgery and he is doing pretty well!

Last year, I met many GREAT people who have helped me a lot to achieve my goals. I believe I have helped many people as well. When I stop and think about the difference in my life since I bought my first machine here in the USA in 2003 and now. Oh my Lord, my life has been pretty busy, but it is good though. Nothing came easy to me and I am thankful for that because I always learn a lot during the process of getting things accomplished.
First I wanted to start my business here, but how? It doesn’t matter if I always did well in business in Brazil, here, in the USA Nobody knew me, but the fear of being a foreigner, a stranger in the nest how we would say in Brazil, didn’t keep me from going ahead and trying it.I knew all I had to do is get out and meet people, show my work out there, make friends, fight for what I wanted. I have met wonderful people in this country and realized that the porcupine parable is really true.
The parable says that during the glacial age, many animals died because of the cold. There was a time that the porcupines had decided to join themselves in groups so that they would get warm and protect each other. But the porcupine would end up hurting the friend who was closer to them with their thorns, exactly those that supplied them the warmth. Them, they started moving away from each other and they ended up freezing to death. Then, finally they decided that they had to make a choice: Disappeared from the planet or accept the thorns of their friends. Finally, they decided to come back to be together, this way they learned that we have to deal with the small wounds that a close relationship can cause, the most important thing was the warmth that they could bring to each other when they were together and keep them alive. Making the right choice kept the porcupines alive.I have learned that the Network groups, blogs are to us, the same that the heat was for the porcupines, it is essential, if we are together, there will be some wounds, but the most important thing is, together we will survive, alone, we will die.
I welcome everyone to link to my website or blog and I will do the same, this way we will keep each other going and getting stronger.

Thank you for being part of my success!

www.embroidea.com

Z Giddings

Isabella and Big Sister tamyIsabella, grandma and little cousin Tyler

Comments (1) »

Spreading the word about my embroidery business

January 31, 2008 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

isabella-and-me.jpgisabella-and-me.jpgisabella-and-me.jpgisabella-and-me.jpgisabella-and-me.jpgisabella-and-me.jpgisabella-and-me.jpgisabella-and-me.jpgisabella-and-me.jpgisabella-and-me.jpgisabella-and-me.jpgisabella-and-me.jpgisabella-and-me.jpgisabella-and-me.jpgisabella-and-me.jpgisabella-and-me.jpgisabella-and-me.jpg

Well, this is my first blog here, today is January 31, 2008. It’s snowing a lot outside, the weather is supposed to be pretty bad this weekend. I am here in my office doing my embroideries; I thought I would stop for a while and type something for my blog.

Tomorrow will be Isabella’s birthday. 2 years already! Time flies by, doesn’t it? 2 years ago at this time I was so anxious to see my baby’s face… This is my first baby of my own, my two first kids are adopted and I didn’t have to wait 9 months to see their faceJ. Charles was two years old when I adopted him. It was something that happened so suddenly… I was only 20 years old and when I found out someone was giving away her 2 year’s old little boy and the conditions that he was at, I didn’t think twice and brought him home. I learned a lot and it was a grateful experience that made me a better human being. With Tamy, my second daughter, it felt so good to go home when she was born and not be feeling as bad as I felt when Isabella was born.  With Tamy, I got to enjoy her more, I didn’t feel pain, I was a stay at home momma, and I had a maid that made it so much easier.

But, here in the USA, things are different, when Isabella was born, I planned to spread the word about my Business so that I could afford to stay home and watch her grow.  Two years have passed and my little princess is still going to a daycare and they are the lucky ones to have heard her first words, watch her first steps and lots of milestone. Unfortunately things take a while to work the way we plan. It doesn’t happen fast enough, it doesn’t matter how good we are at what we do, how much we love doing it, it is so hard to build customers…  My New Years’ resolution this time is do whatever it takes to expand my business so that I won’t have to lose any more important milestones…

So, here I am, just found out about this blog through my new Customer and friend Kathy, from IB Designs www.ibdesignsusa.com.  I hope I will get to know a lot of people through here and I hope I can help anyone who needs me. I am a Graphic  Artist, Seamstress and I have been doing embroidery since I was 18 years old, so, I can’t tell you how old I am but I can tell that 25 years has passed since I had my first embroidery lessons! LOL

 I think I can tell I know a “little” about this fantastic embroidery world. If you want to know something about my business and about myself www.embroidea.com  Messenger embroidea@hotmail.com  you can ad and contact me anytime. I will be more than happy to help you with anything I can.

Well, I better get back to work, there are a few little dresses waiting to be embroidered J God bless you all!

Z

Red Hat SweaterFirst Birthday dress

Comments (2) »