So the last military cake I made for the CO's going away was just delivered this morning. I deliver it and the lady that orders the cakes asked if the Change of Command cake was going to have the brown "frame" around the pictures. I told her "NO"! She said "I don't care for the brown!" I hated the cake as soon as I made it but to have her tell me that is really a downer. Never mind that she asked for those pictures to be put on that size cake. I tried telling her that there won't be much room for design with that many on there. She is now getting to be too pushy as to how she wants the cakes designed. More than anyone should be. Maybe she should make the cakes huh!! 
Making these military cakes, there isn't a whole lot of imagination that can be used in the design especially when the person ordering tells you 'EXACTLY" what they want on it and flavor and fillings and what not. I know, I know, she is my customer but my gosh!!!!!!!!!!!! This isn't a cake for her imediate family. It's a cake for the entire hospital staff!
Next Wednesday I have the COC cake to do. It's going to be two 11x15", one chocolate and one white. Never mind the chocolate and white don't rise the same!!!!!!!!! I have the out going CO's pic and the incoming CO's pic to put on the cake along with the CO emblem! She also wants a rope and tassle like I did on a previous retirement cake. (Darn my DH for suggesting that 
). She wants it gold and blue intertwined. I do want to make this a spectacular cake but I also don't want it to be as boring as previous cakes. I've been doing research but can't find anything that has a "WOW" factor! I need to charge her more money but I think it will be like wringing water out of a dry towel.
Ya'll, I just want to cry!!! 
One bad design and I feel like I am doomed!!!!!!!! How do I get back on track after today's disaster!?
Amy
I'm sorry you're going through such a tough time Amy. Sometimes it is SO hard to have to grin and bear it.
When you get through this and have some time, bake a frilly little 6-inch cake just for you and your DH. And post it here so we can all go oooh and aaah and remind you of how creative and talented you are when you're not in the stranglehold of an overbearing and bossy customer.
O.K. Amy stay with me now. I want you to click on photos on the bottom of your message. You will see a bunch of beautiful cake photos appear before you. As a matter of fact, you will see a few pages of beautiful photos. And guess what, they are all YOURS!!! The moral to this story is that you should not EVER let another living being take away your joy. You have perfected a craft that many people wish they could do to any extent. Hold your head up!!!!!
AAAHHHHH, thank you so much! I took another look at my pictures and you know, I do make some pretty colorful cakes. Not perfect but I think pretty darn good for an amateur!
Making a small frilly little cake is exactly what I need to do! My DH is leaving for two months on our anniversary unfortunately..... ! We are going to celebrate it this Friday! That should take my mind off of my horrible experience yesterday!
You all are great! I can't believe I let this one person/cake throw my perspective and confidence completely off!! 
I'm a horrible type A person so no wonder I took it extreme!
Thank you for the boost of confidence! I'll just redeem myself with the Change of Command cake for next Wednesday!
Amy 
Thank you!!! She emailed me this morning and told me that everyone complained that the cake was too dry! I was very surprised to hear that. That is the first time in my six years of making cakes that I've had a complaint of too dry!!!!! 
I told here that next Wednesday's cake would be my last for the hospital. She has yet to email me back!!! I also sent another email asking her for more money from $100-$125!!! I'm definately shocked I haven't heard from her. Maybe I'll hear something tomorrow!!! I hope because I'm not going to make the cake on Monday if I don't. I have to have it made Monday to decorate Tuesday for delivery Wednesday morning!!!!! We'll see!!!!!!!!
I've been down in the dumps all day because of that. I took a look at all my cakes again and remembered the compliments I recieved on all of them and that made me feel better!
Amy a.k.a...Nervous!!!!!!!!!!
I know that you'll probably miss the extra $$, but count it a blessing to cut her loose. Now you'll be free to spend your energy making the kinds of cakes you'll get more satisfaction from. I've read a few of your posts in the past & I must say that I have felt that you've been burned out on the promotion cakes for awhile. btw, I think your cakes are beautiful.
You're just bored with these particular cakes because you've done so many. I like them - a lot. Your work is precise. And, you do a lot with what you're being asked to do. I particularly love the last ones where you used the cornelli lace so effectively. You may reach a point one day where this bit of business isn't worth the stress. When it ceases to be fun...walk away. That may be today - or it may be a year from now. Just listen to your heart.
Oh thank you both! I am terribly bored with these cakes. I'm proud to do them don't get me wrong but I am more creative than that. I'm so over boring cakes. I am glad you like the ones I have done thus far but I need to get back to my passion wedding cakes and girly cakes!!!!!! I tentatively have a wedding cake to do in July. My BIL is buying it as a gift for a friend of his that is getting married. Cross your fingers I get to do this!
I am so glad 
you all understand!
A gazillion thank yous for your encouragement and understanding!!!
Amy
And congrats on reaching forum fanatic status too!That says something about all the help you've given the rest of us.
I think your cakes look great and that you are very creative for what you have to work with. Military cakes can be boring and men especially dont like to go with somthing fancy - I have done some and it is hard to get out of them what they want! Sound like this lady is nothing but trouble - I am sure your cake was not dry - she just wanted to complain! Keep you head up your work is beautiful!!! 
Amy,
I am a Navy wife too and feel your pain. I have just started cake decorating but I know how demanding Military can be and being a Navy wife makes it all the more stressful. I have to tell you I have kept an eye on your cakes for quite a while and have a ton of your cakes in my favorites. I aspire to be as good as you, and I am NOT just saying that. I will keep you and your family in my prayers and remember that you are FANTASTIC!
Carrie
I am totally blushing!! 
You're just saying that!!!!! I'm waiting to hear back from this lady and so far no email or phone call! I'm starting to get anxious! I have bad anxiety I should mention!!
Being a Navy wife is so tough! I know it doesn't even compare to the wives out there whose husbands are gone for a year at a time! It doesn't make it any less stressful though being a wife of a sailor! We've been through two Med Cruises before six years ago. This time we have two small children, 4 and 17 mos! AAARRRRGGGHHHHH!!!!! I don't know how I'll handle it but I have no choice. He's getting ready to leave for 2 months on our anniversary, May 30th We are celebrating it tonight by dropping the kids off with the grandparents and taking off to Seattle for a nice dinner!! The long deployment doesn't happen until the first week of January!!!! This time he is doing a West Pac so he'll get to see the Orient and Australia! I'm a bit jealous of that for sure!
Anyway, back to cakes here! I may have just blown the biggest opportunity I have had in months by telling her that I quit!!!! I'm hoping she'll get in touch because the Corpman Ball is next month and I'm slated to do that cake.
Thanks for reading about my boo hoos!!!!!!!
Amy
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%