However, I did give him a great little black book on Manhattan for his time there this summer. And I did say a prayer of thanks when he said he was really considering going to grad school.

I get requests for mending, hemming and alterations, since I’m “such a good seamstress.” Or designing a new outfit/costume/sign/tatoo/and so forth (Lezhai, I feel your pain) Now, I co-host sewing nights once a week with my best friend, and we will cheerfully help you do something, even provide machines, needles, thread and assistance, but if you want us to do it all, when you can see we are working on a deadline project (competition piece, or even a commission piece), why not consider a trade at the very least?

Or heaven forfend, if you HAVE offered a trade-opening up the dozens of buttonholes, ripping out a seam or so forth, FOLLOW THROUGH! It makes us very grumbly to pick up an item you’ve promised to do something for, weeks late, and then have to sit up late the day before the wedding or competition opening up buttonholes and sewing on buttons because you didn’t, and then wouldn’t tell us or let us get it back sooner.

Plus, the office folks, who just know you’ve got the needle and thread in your desk to do that ‘quick fix’ for them. Once or twice is fine,I know accidents happen, and I really do want to ensure that you look professional for your/our clients, but coming in with multiple pairs of pants with a ripped seam/pocket, missing buttons on items and expecting me to take time away from the job to mend them for free every week, and then snark me because I’m ‘an assistant’ causes me to become an unhelpful co-worker-at least for you.

Now the bad part: I have a husband who asks for lots of “favors” for so many things. It is so embarrassing to me. On the other hand, I’m embarrassed to ask for help. My motto: “I am not responsible for my husband’s actions!” Please don’t judge me by him! ;)

I may have to reconsider.

(By the way, when he first heard the “White and Nerdy” song, he took it a bit personal, according to my sister. His 14 year old brother loves it.)

Oh, and I can’t figure this one out. He had several interviews for internships for the summer of 2007, got several offers, including Amazon.com, two offers from Microsoft.com, and more – and he ended up going with a start up firm in Manhattan. I would think having Microsoft on your resume would be great (personally, I would love to learn from Amazon.com) – but maybe I don’t understand today’s college student.

Comments would be appreciated.

I do things for my brother, and brother in law and they have been so generous as to help my husband wire our basement, and to set up the computer network. I try to be very gracious and do things for them all the time.

Sometimes I wonder if people think I do nothing all day so I have all the time in the world to do things for them! I like doing things for people, unless they demand it!

What I don’t like is when someone asks me to do something, then expects it done with the snap of a finger.

As others, I do love to help out when I can – it gives me more insight as to how do to something – be it printing a photo – enhancing the photo with a photo program, etc. But, to demand it on the spot is utterly ridiculous.

I have offered to take pictures also. The tradition in the family is now that Sherry can take the different family photos on Christmas Eve. All I ask is maybe a THANK YOU, a note or phone call once they get their photos – THANK YOU, we love it – it’s a nice – even better, beautiful photo. I never get acknowledgement – not that I look for it.

I enjoy taking pictures of the families. I think the best compliment I received was after I took pictures of everyone the first time. Paul’s mom/sister goes, Boy, grandma would have loved these pictures. I felt all warm inside when I heard this.

I will do anything for anybody in a heartbeat.

Prime example – our basement flooded a few months back – it was awful – the smell/stench – it was basically 1 foot of sewer water and nothing but crap (literally) left on the floor. We had a hard time trying to clean up by ourselves. Hubby’s cousin called to say if you need help, I’ll be there – call me, I’ll call you stuff. Well, guess what?? Couldn’t reach him, he never answered his phone, he never called us – not a finger worth of help. Yet, when his family moved into their house, Paul was out there for 2 weeks while he was out of work fixing up the house with his dad and uncle. That is what family does- helps each other out. Yet, it came time that we needed help – we were desperate – and nothing. I do have to admit, Paul’s uncle and his 2 sons came over and got all of the furniture moved out – that I appreciated. And you guessed it – 2 days later his uncle calls for Paul – I need help with my computer – yet Paul had just worked 12-1/2 hours and still went over to his uncle’s to work on the computer (yes, he is the techno person as he used to work for IBM)…but c’mon on – when you’re tired and worked all day – you can’t do it all.

Any advice or help I get is greatly appreciated (and yes Mr. Jeremy – thank you for the insight on taking digital pictures).

It’s hard to say no – it’s hard to say okay, I’ll charge you this much – been there done that. I don’t like to take $$$ for doing something I like to do – but I guess one day we’ll have to put our foot down and just say okay, I’ll do it for this $$$. If you don’t, you can go broke if using supplies, etc.