Finally Found A Car!!

As many of you know, I have been searching for a van for a VERY long time. Well, Eureka! A friend of mine, who works at the Barrel has a nice big Suburban that I am going to buy. Her husband has had it for a while and they decided that they didn't need it...so, I am going to buy it. Doing the dance of joy! It just seemed that I would never have a vehicle I could afford. It's a bit more that I wanted to spend; but they will let me make payments on it -- So....now, the dilemma of how to get to and from my shows is over, finally.

I've been scrimping and saving every dime I can so I will have enough cash to go to Sharon Springs, NY. I have decided that if there isn't enough cash I would borrow from one of those places you see on TV. The interest rate is as high as Shylock. I might as well give them a pound of my flesh! But, if it means I'll get to Sharon Springs, then that is what I will do.

I've been busy knitting bracelets and making fabric fortune cookies and painting bottles and making jewelry pouches and cutting my placemats...I'm starting to get extremely nervous about this show. I think it's a great opportunity for me and maybe just the break I need. I will reach my goal this year and move back North and get my business off the ground.

I've also decided that I will sign up for Pro Pay...a service provided through Artfire that allows you to accept credit cards. All you need is a laptop or a cell phone and an active bank account. Have all those. The fee is nominal and will allow me NOT to lose sales at the shows. Thank you Artfire!

Another friend of mine that works with me has volunteered her husband to make me some wooden cubes for the shows coming up. Next week I will buy a 4 X 8 piece of plywood and some screws and cut them to size and have her hubby get to work. I'll spray paint them and they'll look like those really fancy risers that you pay a fortune for at the stores. Maybe next year, I can afford some acrylic ones. One step at a time.

Plan B. Or is it C?

Okay...so I applied for this little local show before the deadline. Sent in my fee and filled out the paperwork...and they just called me to tell me that they have been full for almost a month! Totally bummed out, because I was hoping to make a little extra cash for my trip to Sharon Springs. So, now, I have to think of another way to make that extra cash. Working overtime is not an option, because corporate won't allow that. There are no other local craft shows between now and then. I've been posting and blogging and trying to get the word out about my Artfire Studio to anyone who will listen. No bites yet!

On an upside...I HAVE FOUND A VEHICLE! One of my friends at the Barrel has a car that I can make payments on and it's big enough for everyone and everything. Even the dog! It's a Chevy Suburban. It's big and it's mine.

I just got off the phone with the promoter of the Harvest Festival in Sharon Springs, NY and he is excited about the Festival and he also told me that they are hoping to have a Christmas show as well. That would be wonderful. I will gladly take time off from work to go there and do that show.

I am making plans to do Asheville Art in the Park in October. Have not found a show for November yet. But, I will. And, I think I might do the Greenville, SC Holiday Fair this year.

Now, I have to get back to work if I'm going to have enough product for September.

Realization

Yesterday was my youngest daughter's birthday, she is now 29! Nothing makes you realize how fast time flies as much as your children's birthdays. First I cannot believe that I have a 29 year old and my eldest will be 31 on December 31st! You look at them and you still see those little tiny faces. You still remember the diaper changes, the sleepless nights, kissing boo-boo's...And, you remember all the mistakes that you made as they were growing up. Some of us make more than others. Sometimes when you think that you have done the right thing it comes back to haunt you when they get older.

I've made my quota of mistakes...I've made over my quota! My daughter and I are working them out now. My mistakes have caused her a great deal of pain and suffering and now, perhaps too late, we are trudging through them and trying to heal. It's going to be a long process. Pain does not heal easily or quickly. But, communication is key. And, yes, we still argue and I still don't quite understand some of it, but I am trying. I'm making changes and that's all that really matters. If you refuse to admit that you have committed errors and refuse to change...then nothing will get better. You have to look at it for what it really is. Don't sugar coat it. Don't make your mistakes excuses. See them for what they really are. That's the only way to make progress. That's the only way to heal.

I hope my daughter realizes all this and I hope that one day soon all the boo-boos will be healed.