I took this picture last week. I feel as if I'm coasting through the days in some one elses life. I haven't driven my own car in so long I don't even recall when the last time I was in it or where I even went. And this car is only one I've had for about a year now. We are traveling so much for Dave's work I never unpack. So I live out of my suitcases and cosmetic bags even when we are home. Home. Is it really here in this second apartment we've rented since moving to Nashville last July? Home is where the heart is right? A major part of my heart is in Michigan where my son is. Another part is in Rochester, Mi where I bought my very own home on my own and raised my boys for ten years. My old trusty Explorer is in Michigan, being driven by someone I do not know now. Another big part of my heart is in Tennessee at the university where my youngest son is. Dave and my mother in law have a home in Florida where I love the ocean. My heart feels at home when I'm standing on the shore with my toes in the waves. My heart is yearning to paint. I have almost everything I need to get started. Except time. Quality time. My heart wants to get going and start pushing my etsy shop further with my bags. Only to have to shut it down and put it on 'vacation mode' until our return from the latest road trip. Without my steady second income any longer we are now on a diet, blessing in disguise I suppose. Dave's job is our bread and and butter. I am very, extremely, grateful for his generosity and support. We support a lot of other people besides ourselves and have become quiet good at juggling. My choice is to travel with my husband as opposed to working at a low paying mediocre job and be left alone for days by myself in a state, town where I know no one. I see him excelling and doing well in his career. Every Saturday he does what he loves and plays drums the entire day and night at a paying gig downtown. My heart is happy for him. My son is doing what he loves and doing it fantastically at university. He will go far. My heart is exceedingly happy for him. My oldest son is doing very well in Michigan at his job and will start college again soon to move further in his education and employment and future. He is engaged to be married to the most awesome, loveable girl ever. My heart is so happy for him, them, they are so awesome and have so much to look forward to. I am a gypsy right now. I want my heart to be happy for me. I want to paint. I want to sew. I want to sell. I want to blog. I want to be successful. I want to provide and take pride once again in the things that I accomplish. It will happen. Send good thoughts and vibes and energy my way. Send money. Send encouragement. Send a comment. Visit my store. Buy a bag. It's my blog, I can say what I want :) I wish you all well. I wish you all success. I wish you all love and courage. This is my journal entry out to the universe.... Into the mystic.
You certainly have some challenges facing your art. You're at the opposite end of the parenting gig from me. I have littlies I have to work around. I feel a touch guilty when that my kids have to share my time with my art, but I don't think I can afford to wait until they are older.
ReplyDeleteThere is one advantage of trying to juggle around life commitments. It forces you to do it now. Live in the moment, grab that bit of art and do what you can now. I've adapted to having several projects running at once and have simply had to make it work the best way I can. I keep thinking in the future once the kids are at school I might have some solid time to myself, maybe at least one day a week, but the truth is, I just have to work with what I've got.
Road trips would make it doubly difficult. Make your art equipment totally portable? Switch to faster media, so pieces can be finished quicker? Maybe make your Etsy shop a seasonal thing and spend those times it isn't open madly making art ready for stocking the next time you can open it (it might make your stuff that little more hard to get so there could be lots of anticipation and an extra price hike since things are only available for a short time?).
I know that frustration of wanting to create now. I usually get it while bathing the kids or sweeping the floor. I stay up to horrible hours of the night trying to get stuff done because that is the only time to get it done. ::hugs:: The phrase 'this too shall pass' has comforted me many a time, despite its two edged sword. I hope you find a good work/life balance. It will work out, cos you'll make it work.
Best wishes,
Liz
(sorry for the ramble :D)
Thank you for your comment and suggestions Liz! You have a great attitude and I love your idea of making the etsy shop a seasonal thing. It could really work that way, lots of anticipation could pay off. Great idea. I have taken everything with me on the road from my sewing machine in a suit case to bins filled with art supplies and bags filled with merchandise and camera/photography gear!!! Lol. It is a crazy life sometimes but a great one. I am very fortunate to have a very supportive husband. I was also fortunate enough to be able to stay at home with my children while they were small. I had to work full time when they got to the ages of 8 and 10 so that was a super crazy time, single parent, full time work and college courses! So it is with great appreciation when I get to sew, paint and take photos of our travels. Enjoy those little ones of yours!! I'm sure you have heard this many times but they really do grow so fast. Cherish these days. I love my young men, but I miss those little guys!! Yes, this too shall pass but always remember to "enjoy where you are going, on the way to where you are going" :) (Ok, that was for me as well as anyone else lol). Thanks again for the comment! Look forward to chatting again soon sometime :)
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ReplyDeleteOr is it "Enjoy where you are on the way to where you're going"? Either way lol
ReplyDeleteLove the "This is my blog I can say what I want," yes you can! I saw your comment on Renee's blog and decided to check yours out...glad I did...following you. Love all your pics and the process or the create! June Maddox Love to find people with that Positive energy!
ReplyDeleteThank you June!!!
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