🌟 A Personal Note From the Little Old Lady on a Fixed Income

Hey there, my readers, friends, and family —

I’m popping in today with a little life update and a tiny request as I head into 2026 with hope, humor, and a dash of determination. Anyone living on Social Security knows the drill — it keeps the lights on, but it doesn’t exactly leave room for grand adventures or those lingering credit card ghosts from the “salad days.” My mom used to say she was “just a little old lady on a fixed income,” and we laughed, but now here I am, stepping into that same role with a smile and a shrug.

I am the new little old lady on a fixed income, and I’m asking for your help.

🌱 A New Creative Adventure (With a Little Real‑Life Honesty)

I’m genuinely encouraged by the entrepreneurial path I’m walking — even if it’s a little wobbly at times. Trevor, my e‑commerce consultant, keeps reminding me that Welcoming Haven is moving forward and that with patience, the sales will come.

Patience, however, has never been my strongest virtue.

So while Welcoming Haven continues to grow behind the scenes, I’ve started exploring something new — a creative adventure I didn’t even know existed a month ago: printables.

I had never heard of them, never bought one, and honestly couldn’t imagine paying to print something at home. But after watching feeds, ads, and trends, I realized there’s a whole world of helpful, fun, and beautifully simple digital products out there. And suddenly, ideas started bubbling up.

That’s how PrintableByDeborah was born — not as a big business push, but as a gentle side venture where I can create, experiment, and build something at my own pace.

🛒 What I’m Creating So Far

Right now, I’m keeping things light and manageable:

A bundle of cleaning checklists- Done and uploaded
Pantry labels you can download and print- Done and uploaded
A Valentine’s coupon book and a list of free or inexpensive date ideas
- Perfect for the romantically challenged and the financially strapped – Still on the drawing board

This early stage isn’t about selling hard. It’s about learning, creating, and slowly building a brand people recognize when they see it.

💡 I’d Love Your Ideas

Since I’m still building up my shop, I’d love to hear from you.

What kinds of printables would make your life easier, more organized, or more fun?

Something for kids
Something for pets
Something for holidays
Something for home organization
Something just plain silly

You don’t need to buy anything — just toss ideas my way. Inspiration is the best gift you can give right now.

🛒 A Soft Little Mention

If you do want to peek at the shop, it’s there — PrintableByDeborah on Etsy — slowly growing, one idea at a time. I’ll be adding new items every week as I build this brand into something recognizable and reliable.
No pressure. Just planting the seed.

❤️ Thanks for Walking With Me

Your support — in ideas, encouragement, or even just reading this post — means the world. I’m excited to see where this creative path leads, and I’m grateful to have you along for the ride.

Here’s to a light, hopeful, and creative start to 2026.
With love,
Deborah

Stepping Into 2026 With a Fresh Start

Happy New Year! January 1st is basically the world’s biggest “Let’s try that again,” and honestly, I love that energy. A brand‑new year feels like stepping onto a blank page—full of possibility, potential, and maybe even a few delightful surprises waiting in the margins. I hope everyone is kicking off 2026 with big dreams, bold ideas, and a little spark of excitement for what’s ahead.

A New Creative Chapter Begins

If you read my New Year’s Eve post, you might remember I hinted that something new was brewing behind the scenes. Well, today is the big reveal! Don’t worry—Welcoming Haven is still going strong. But over the past year, I’ve realized something important: I get so much more joy from writing blog posts, creating recipes, and sharing cozy content than I do from checking inventory every morning.

So instead of expanding Welcoming Haven in the traditional way, I decided to follow the path that felt more creative, more fun, and honestly, more me.

Introducing… Printable by Deborah!

Originally, I planned to create a Welcoming Haven spin‑off, but every name I loved was already taken. After a few rounds of brainstorming (and maybe a few eye rolls at the universe), I decided this new project deserved its own identity while still staying connected to Welcoming Haven.

And so, Printable by Deborah was born—a brand‑new Etsy shop filled with cozy, helpful, beautifully designed printables. You’ll still find it linked on my Welcoming Haven site, but it now has its own cheerful little home on Etsy:

Meet the Mascot (Banner Steps Into the Spotlight)

Every creative shop needs a mascot, right? Since this project leans heavily into color and design, I chose Banner to represent the brand. Balboa will absolutely get his moment another day—this was purely a color‑palette decision, not favoritism. (He has been assured.) Check out my Etsy Shop logo with Banner’s paw print of approval.