tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353873250655389819.post7219941755204085949..comments2024-02-26T20:57:00.587-05:00Comments on FlowerLady's Musings: ‘Be Still’FlowerLady Lorrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678852154334714784noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353873250655389819.post-57973593682462872792016-07-13T13:26:07.363-04:002016-07-13T13:26:07.363-04:00I think I'd jump around the snakes, too! even ...I think I'd jump around the snakes, too! even if I knew they were harmless. Looks like you did a great job trimming in your corner of paradise there. So many beautiful things in this world, right along with the sadness. Seems like this old life is such tangle of joy and sadness, often at the same time. We rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep, often in the same day. I prayed for you last night just as I was closing my eyes, you and a couple other blogging friends who have lost their husbands. I often do, as I think of you. Blessings to you, xo DeborahDeborah Montgomeryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04366855994841922862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353873250655389819.post-19805536235320786892016-07-13T08:22:41.435-04:002016-07-13T08:22:41.435-04:00I was contemplating starting my own business in my...I was contemplating starting my own business in my retirement, but the rules, regulations, taxes and paperwork are just too much. I decided to travel instead. After I've had my fill of seeing the sites of our beautiful country, perhaps I'll look into it again. I love your embroidery crafts. Maybe someone will figure out a way to make Internet commerce friendlier in the future.Allyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07430849998788960134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353873250655389819.post-53032128516965755992016-07-03T21:29:34.015-04:002016-07-03T21:29:34.015-04:00Hello! Catching up with you. Sorry I haven't...Hello! Catching up with you. Sorry I haven't been by for a bit. Always enjoy photos of your garden. I see you have a slithery creature. Take care and get well soon. The rules of commerce are always changing and vary from one place to another. Good to check it all out again. Be well my friend.Gardener on Sherlock Streethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11367115529793643362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353873250655389819.post-63581439198446984772016-07-01T14:43:19.630-04:002016-07-01T14:43:19.630-04:00thinking of you with love
and a hug.
you will be f...thinking of you with love<br />and a hug.<br />you will be fine<br />I am<br />we both have much to be thankful for..My Journey To Mindfulnesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15743386000772274656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353873250655389819.post-72220651686208068662016-07-01T12:40:08.740-04:002016-07-01T12:40:08.740-04:00Everything OK? I'm missing you and just check...Everything OK? I'm missing you and just checking :)<br />Rebeccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08740950362293427086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353873250655389819.post-12366530627583680092016-06-30T02:17:56.736-04:002016-06-30T02:17:56.736-04:00My word - that's a lot of red-tape for a littl...My word - that's a lot of red-tape for a little Etsy shop... I'm sorry to hear it's such a procedure to deal with the tax stuff. Taking a breather is a good idea, ponder things and see if something a little easier doesn't come along.<br />You do such an amazing job with your property Lorraine, and all that yard work. everything looks lovely, and so charming.<br />I hope you feel better soon - take good care of yourself!<br />Hugs,<br />jillayneJillaynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01533504920962855079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353873250655389819.post-66329954437311971252016-06-28T18:40:45.572-04:002016-06-28T18:40:45.572-04:00I'm a doer so I find it hard to "Be Still...I'm a doer so I find it hard to "Be Still" but it's when we are still that the Lord can minister to us and speak to us through His Word. I wish I could quietly sit with you but know that you are in my prayers and thoughts.Maryannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05147215921425305908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353873250655389819.post-61224286090130344162016-06-28T10:47:32.907-04:002016-06-28T10:47:32.907-04:00Hope all is well with you. Hope all is well with you. Sallysmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15397788379626486071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353873250655389819.post-62661041003954686672016-06-26T21:21:37.890-04:002016-06-26T21:21:37.890-04:00Good Evening my friend! You were in my thoughts t...Good Evening my friend! You were in my thoughts tonight, so I thought I would hop over and say 'hello'. Hope all is well for you!Darciehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13433894747049535179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353873250655389819.post-30076189974884365882016-06-23T13:50:30.591-04:002016-06-23T13:50:30.591-04:00Lorraine, do you have a local ElderCare or a churc...Lorraine, do you have a local ElderCare or a church that helps retired people to wade through complicated stuff? Our brains are not as sharp as we age, and some things just become overwhelming to us. I sensed that feeling while I read your post. <br /><br />Deb had some very good advice and really if you take this apart and do it in small pieces it will all come together. If you have her email address, maybe she would walk you through the process. Since you have Comment Moderation on, it would be easy for her to comment with her email address and then you'd just delete that comment after you had the address. I'd start with the application and just deal with that part. Don't think ahead. Just one step at a time. FL Tax Commission probably has an 800 number that you could call and ask questions. As far as income taxes, if you fill out the little worksheet in the tax instructions booklet under "Who Must File", and find that you're under the minimum, even with your income from the Etsy shop, you may not have to file an income tax form at all. I'm not sure if you can deduct your time, as you are the owner, but don't take my word for it as it's been awhile since I was out in the business world. But for sure your supplies, postage, even what you pay for the space in which you work via your mortgage, if you still have one. I do know that the state of Oklahoma says it's losing money because of people buying from places like Amazon, and they want to make you pay sales taxes even if you are not in the same state where your customers live. But in past years for as long as I can remember, if you ordered something from a catalog and were not living in the same state as the vendor you normally did not have to pay sales tax. <br /><br />The state of Oklahoma has been trying for years to find a way to tax garage sale income. Some things just present such a big enforcement problem that it's cheaper to let sleeping dogs lie. I read somewhere about how this woman was required by her state to charge sales tax for goods sold at a garage sale. Services, however, were not taxable. So she gave her garage sale items away but they had to be carried away in a bag and she charged for her services in putting the items in the bag. LOL Rock on, Honey. xoxoxoRockWhispererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04204125716550161500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353873250655389819.post-68996271282584930302016-06-22T15:45:06.364-04:002016-06-22T15:45:06.364-04:00Lorraine, you have a beautiful and calming looking...Lorraine, you have a beautiful and calming looking spot. It looks easy to be still there. It must be hard taking on all the work by yourself though, even though it looks lovely. We used to have a business license when we sold antiques. It seemed easy at that time in California. We did have to pay taxes on what we sold but got some good deals at wholesale prices. It was a lot of work and am glad we don't do it anymore. Now, I just buy from others and that suits me fine..Have a wonderful rest of the week..JudyJudy at GoldCountryCottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10282585980012016892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353873250655389819.post-11910296737785638442016-06-22T08:07:54.316-04:002016-06-22T08:07:54.316-04:00Everyone wants their share of the almighty dollar ...Everyone wants their share of the almighty dollar I guess but it is such a shame to put the burden of collecting taxes on a small businessperson. Really! tinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17415302577518111227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353873250655389819.post-71468226728919940862016-06-21T21:55:05.117-04:002016-06-21T21:55:05.117-04:00So sorry that Etsy is such a big mess Lorraine - s...So sorry that Etsy is such a big mess Lorraine - so frustrating, but you have the right idea about taking time to "be still" Of course you have the most perfect garden to just sit and absorb all that prettiness around you. It all looks lovely. Wonderful photo of the snake! Like you I always jump when I see one - although I know they do a lot of good they still spook me!<br />Have a good rest of the week with plenty of "be still" moments!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01080194896492043939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353873250655389819.post-75201398617766791322016-06-21T18:00:27.558-04:002016-06-21T18:00:27.558-04:00I try to take some time every day to be still, too...I try to take some time every day to be still, too. Like you, sometimes my eyes well up with tears when I look around at all the beauty and think about Phil and how he should still be here with us. <br />Those black snakes would've scared me, too. Don't like snakes!Melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08659968511488397366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353873250655389819.post-50080784004924566512016-06-21T17:26:47.926-04:002016-06-21T17:26:47.926-04:00That's some great information on Etsy, thank y...That's some great information on Etsy, thank you! I haven't done much research, it's always been a pipe dream for me. I know to make sure and look into licensing and taxes and all if I do that in the future. Complicated stuff! That black snake would have scared me too! They are so large, it's hard not to be intimidated by them. They are good for the yard though. <br /><br />I spend about an hour everyday sitting in my garden, being still. It's a good substitute for attaining that peaceful feeling without a good long run :-)<br /><br />Take care FlowerLady! Have a great week!Jessica Jarrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14088243667002486509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353873250655389819.post-26841608505321897382016-06-21T13:49:30.990-04:002016-06-21T13:49:30.990-04:00Oh, FL, I do hope you are able to get things arran...Oh, FL, I do hope you are able to get things arranged for your personal life and finances so you can have peace and not worry. So many of the very best things in life are free, or at least not very expensive -- the cool breezes, the butterflies, the flowers and clouds, love for each other, the love of God. He will provide for you. It does sound like they make Etsy hard to do, even if you only have to take care of state taxes :( I'm sorry. Maybe God has a different venue for you to sell at? I hope he leads the way for you.M.K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353873250655389819.post-38191549226296241622016-06-20T16:58:01.111-04:002016-06-20T16:58:01.111-04:00Sometimes it is good to take a step back and reass...Sometimes it is good to take a step back and reassess things by being quiet and still. It must be so hard trying to get by without your dear one. You did a good job with the trimming and mowing. Everything looks so pretty and neat. It's too bad that Etsy has to be so complicated. Maybe with this door closed, a window will open. Thinking of you - hope your ankle feels better. Hugs xo KarenKaren @ Beatrice Euphemiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08631972741518142563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353873250655389819.post-49774815831281205062016-06-20T13:31:17.077-04:002016-06-20T13:31:17.077-04:00Dearest Lorraine, please don't give in to worr...Dearest Lorraine, please don't give in to worry and stress. It only leads to loss of energy and then depression. I have never had enough sales in my Etsy shop so I understood I did not need to think about taxes. I sell my jewelry in a friend's store here in my city and also just word of mouth and do better than on Etsy, though I keep my shop for the occasional sale. I have been thinking of getting my own website and just selling that way. Let me know what you decide to do. Your creations are so beautiful and the public needs to be made aware of them.<br />Big Hugs~ <3Sandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10888547092318964711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353873250655389819.post-4950186117208672342016-06-20T10:28:26.417-04:002016-06-20T10:28:26.417-04:00I will pray that you will find inspiration and mak...I will pray that you will find inspiration and make a good decision re. supplementing your income. From your experience with Etsy (and apparently several others' experiences, too), I can see why you are stepping back.<br /><br />I'm sure you already know how much I love your cottage and its beautiful, BEAUTIFUL setting...This particular post made me like it even more! (Well, except for the black snake...)<br /><br />I hope the week finds you gaining peace and perspective, Lorraine. ♥<br /><br /><br />Rebeccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08740950362293427086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353873250655389819.post-85905674612677226952016-06-19T22:02:24.441-04:002016-06-19T22:02:24.441-04:00Sometimes being still bring out our emotions...bei...Sometimes being still bring out our emotions...being with you hubs for as long as you were it will take a very long time for the ache to subside, if ever. Your overwhelmed with everything falling on your shoulders...when I first moved to the Charmer I was single and it was SO overwhelming to take care of everything inside and out. I have an online shop, not etsy and feel that I don't have the time to deal with it all, especially the shipping! ugh! Your property is charming and be kind to yourself!Cathy @ My 1929 Charmerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05152030881064923919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353873250655389819.post-169564651342143622016-06-19T13:15:12.945-04:002016-06-19T13:15:12.945-04:00Hi Rainey! Deb has some good advice. I forgot th...Hi Rainey! Deb has some good advice. I forgot that about being able to subtract supplies from the bottom line and you can pay yourself too, Which usually means you end up with zero income. Why don't you sell here on your blog? Many of your supporters are readers too, aren't they? <br /><br />I heard a wonderful sermon on being still the other day. All the time I assumed it meant to be quiet and listen for God's voice, but the interpretation of the phrase "be still" meant to quiet your worries and be confident that the Lord is in charge. <br /><br />I hope that if money gets really tight for you, you won't hesitate to avail yourself to the many social services that are available for senior citizens. As a tax payer, I know that I'd much rather my taxes were going towards something like that, rather than the many many boondoggles that the government wastes its money upon. <br /><br />Hugs<br />Jane Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01851312702044308420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353873250655389819.post-81523479683784283872016-06-19T12:38:52.330-04:002016-06-19T12:38:52.330-04:00Creative people tend to forget the uncomfortable &...Creative people tend to forget the uncomfortable "business aspects" of selling one's goods. As a traveling artist and an online artist, it is a real chore keeping up with it all. Etsy has not been a successful venture for me either, I don't have the time needed to make it so, I do much better with my own online website.jerilandershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07418564262425621746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353873250655389819.post-28791596327184966472016-06-19T10:28:10.743-04:002016-06-19T10:28:10.743-04:00As an online seller in Florida since 2005 the proc...As an online seller in Florida since 2005 the process to obtain you tax ID number is quite simple and free, as a vitual store you don't need a business license nor do you need to file a fictious name application. Once you get your TAX ID you will receive a tax reporting booklet, very easy to file out each quarter, if you don't have any sales you will enter all zeros, if you make sales you put the sales tax you collected and each quarter you make that payment, remember you only have to collect sales from customers that live in the state of Florida. In over 5 fives I haven't had a Florida customer so no taxes were collected and no payments had to be made I just send in my form with all the zeros. The best part of having a tax ID is it allows you to buy supplies from wholesalers and even can be used when buying supplies at Joanns etc. as long as they are going to the projects for resale. I hope this helps ease your worry and feel free to email me with any questions you may have. Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12013807144091997698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353873250655389819.post-75812523840398562082016-06-19T09:40:25.149-04:002016-06-19T09:40:25.149-04:00Your garden seems like the perfect backdrop for a ...Your garden seems like the perfect backdrop for a music video or a photo shoot for a fashion magazine. It's just so cool and interesting. I love every view!Leslie Kimelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10819439877752751687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5353873250655389819.post-59351115801295343352016-06-19T03:16:36.899-04:002016-06-19T03:16:36.899-04:00so sorry about the etsy shop thing....it all sound...so sorry about the etsy shop thing....it all sounds so complicated!! Why do they have to make something good so darn complicated?? Love the photos of your property....I can see the serenity and calm there right through the photos! Just love it...it seem so peaceful and tropical there. Do you grow vegetables as well as flowers or just flowers? have a real nice Sunday my friend! Thinking of you from charleston!BeachGypsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02200510017404641217noreply@blogger.com