PoppyRow

It’s funny how life plays itself out. Ed and I have worked hard to pay off all of our debt, and it’s so great to be finally debt-free. Our next goal is to have an emergency fund of 3-6 months of expenses. We had worked crazy-hard to get debt-free, and we decided we wouldn’t kill ourselves quite as badly to gather the E-fund. It’s been rough working overnights at the hospital, while taking care of a daughter, and balancing home and art. So we decided that I could finally quit, and we’d work out the savings account a little slower. I get to my job last night, and there stands my boss filling in for someone. I think, “Great! I can give her my two-weeks’ notice”. She proceeds to tell me that the full-time 3-11 lady has given her notice and would I be interested in applying. I was taken aback, and told her I’d have to think about it.

I called my husband all confused. Was this an opportunistic doorway into fattening up that savings account quickly? Or just a ruse to throw us off the scent of our original plans? It had sounded so glorious to quit and carry on with more art, and working with Ed, doing the mountains of work that need to be done around the house.

When confronted with this, it would have been so easy to toss and turn for days, trying to figure out the pros and cons of each scenario. I think sometimes it becomes easy to obsess with the decision making process, instead of simply making the choice. I read something that talked about making every decision you ever encounter in life within 30 seconds, even major ones. It seems so scary to commit to something without contemplating extensively, polling friends and family, maybe even writing out ideas.

But it’s such a time waster. It also expends unnecessary energy. So, when I called my husband wondering what to do with the new-found open door, we quickly decided to make a decision and stick to it. We realized that our original plan is a good one that we are happy with, and if and when that needs to change, we will worry about it then. I dont want to waste time stressing. We will do the best we can and work from there.

I figure that you are all getting annoyed with hearing about my new system, but let me just say- STILL GOING STRONG! Even after a weekend filled with both overnight shifts, and Memorial Day/Birthday celebrations, I am still ticking. The great thing is that because I couldn’t tear off that first sheet until absolutely everything on it was crossed off, I finally tackled the very undesirable item, and was rewarded by getting to tear off two sheets! Oh ecstacy, I am getting stuff done….

Have you ever gotten a tattoo? I have- in fact I have four. (more…)

So I’m doing a lot better than expected with my new tackle the day tactic. I usually quit newly-formed habits after 24 hours, but not always. I ‘ve already discussed the budget and the weight-loss, so I won’t go into unless askled - but the idea is that on occasion I follow through with a plan into a long-term commitment. I think Judy hit the nail on the head in her last comment. You become completely overhwelmed by the problem or issue, and you stand there staring - you know, the deer in the headlights routine. (more…)

So it’s coming along. My life that is. They say if you want to eat an elephant you need to tackle it one bite at a time. I have been spread so thin lately that I run around not really accomplishing anything. Ever feel that crazy? I remember when I first had my daughter, I would just lay around, my very existence defining “bored to death”. Now, I can’t fathom being bored, and at times I yearn to taste the sweetness of doing just nothing.

And therefore I am trying to adopt new habits that will allow me a sense of accomplishment. Sometimes I think its silly to try to get into new habits, because for the most part, (more…)

I hope everyone is alive and well…and well, creating more art than me. Because if you aren’t, then you aren’t creating. Do you ever have those times in your life when art doesn’t just take a back seat, but it is in a different vehicle altogether? For all of my talk on how to stay motivated and inspired, what is to be done when life simply pushes its big ‘ol nose in your face, and you can’t get away from it all? It’s not that I feel uninspired. On the contrary, I feel I have much to say. But my efforts are going in a million directions and I am spread thinner than paper. It’s so hard to streamline and make choices of what to keep and what to eliminate in my life.

When I look back at the last year, I really do have a lot to be proud of. I’ve lost almost 40 pounds, paid off $25,000 in debt, (more…)

I spent the weekend in Rutland, VT at the Chaffee Art Center teaching a two-day watercolor seminar. I love the Chaffee, and I love teaching there. They always treat me like an honored guest, which I’m never opposed to! The class consisted of four ladies, one of them being my mom, and we just really enjoyed having two full eight-hour days, back-to-back to hang out and make art. I was able to begin a new painting that is actually a flower, but just the greenery. I am very excited to see the end result! (more…)

So I am usually suspicious longer than necessary for all things concerning computers and the internet. You may be surprised, considering that my husband is a computer programmer, we own at least 4 if not 5 functioning PCs (I lose count!) and I have a website and a blog. I seem rather computer savvy to a lot of my artist friends. But this is because I’ve been of methodically brainwashed for 13 years! Every time Ed sets things up just so, and I’m able to understand and function with relative ease, he changes things! Then I kick and scream and drag my heels, because I don’t want to learn how to do things all over again. Ed patiently explains how it’s better, and will save time, and be easier in the long run. But I know he is just trying to make me crazy. Can nothing concerning computers ever remain stable?!

This brings me to the real reason for this post, beyond the generic PC tirade. (more…)