I love being a mom. I love staying at home. I love being a stay-at-home mom. Sometimes though, you can get a bit crazy. Admit it. Staying at home 24-7 can randomly send you spinning out of control. I should know….I have occasionally spun out for 12 years now.
How out of control, you ask?
Like the time I decided to become a Stampin’ Up demonstrator. My husband was in dental school, we had two kids, received a $950 stipend and our rent was $700. We didn’t have enough money for things like nice toilet paper and brand named cereal, let alone a $150 demostrator kit. But I was hooked, and I was going to be top SU demonstrator, and I was going to win the pink Cadillac. (Or wait, maybe it was a tote bag.)
Then there was the time that I had randomly found Hand Painted Mosaic Tiles on eBay. What the…….????? My idea was born and it was sweet. Everyone would have kitchen sink backsplashes containing my creative musings. I bought oodles of ceramic paint, cleared out Home Depot of little tiles, and got to work. I actually sold some of them and possibly even paid for my supplies. But then we moved to Germany, my paints dried up in storage, and so did my dreams of being a world famous mosaic tile artist.
It gets even better. One day I went to a bead store with my mom. I’m creative and artsy. I did some research and bought a book called “How to Get From Where You Are To Where You Want To Be”. So why couldn’t I purchase a couple of thousand dollars in beads and start a jewelry business? My husband rolled his eyes as I slowly began to amass my stash of BEADS and Three Girlies designs was born.
Amazingly, within about 3 months my bridal and bridesmaid sets took off. I could not make them fast enough. In year one I made a little over $10,000 and was sittingin my trendy uptown design studio at my kitchen table, creating unique Hollywood worthy jewelry for the stars making the same boring necklace and earring sets over and over and over. I was an assembly line worker and a packaging company. Instead of figuring out how to outsource to China, I threw all my beads in a couple of plastic totes and shoved them up into a closet.
Amazingly, within about 3 months my bridal and bridesmaid sets took off. I could not make them fast enough. In year one I made a little over $10,000 and was sitting
Fast forward a few years and I start this blog. I definitely need a new camera and I NEED to hire a blog designer. I have no idea what I am doing but I am pretty sure that I could be world famous. For reasons I can’t comprehend, my husband is hesitant about buying me the $800 camera. I wonder why?
What is wrong with me???? If I had stuck with it, could I have been top demonstrator for Stampin’ Up? What would have happened if I responded to the e-mail from a custom tile company who loved my designs? Was there something to the idea I had of making a pitch to David’s Bridal, to create a line of jewelry for them? Again I ask, what is wrong with me????
So here I am once more, at the precipice of greatness……okay maybe not greatness, but I can tell it is somewhere important. It is somewhere important, because I can quit blogging and let it swirl into my ever spinning out-of-control tornado of unfinished projects, or I can just keep typing. And it doesn’t matter that my husband won’t let me buy an $800 camera for a few foodie posts. And it doesn’t matter that I get sick of cooking sometimes and so I blog about running or going out of my mind.
It doesn’t matter because this is me. I am a crafty stamper, an artsy painter, and a classy jewelry designer. I am a runner and oh I forgot to mention, a licensed hairstylist. I am a wanna-be graphic designer, a mommy blogger, and my husband’s biggest cheerleader.
They may seem like crazy endeavors, but there is a reason behind all that madness. I actually haven’t went insane all these years of staying home doing laundry. He might not know it quite yet, but my husband will love me MORE after he buys me the camera. (Heck, he might read this…I had to try.) For my girls, I am an endless example of, “You can be whatever you want to be when you grow up.”…..and I think that’s a pretty great kind of mom to be.
So glad to know I'm not alone in my brilliant ideas/stay-at-home mommyness! And don't quit your blogging, I like it!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely don't stop blogging. I started my blog while I was not working and deciding on a complete career change. It's a great way to keep yourself motivated to do things strictly so you have something to write about. Maybe you'll find your next calling if you keep it up! It really motivated me to go back to my love of printmaking and open up an etsy shop. :)
ReplyDeleteLynnie, nothing is wrong with you :-) You are one multi-talented lady.Please don't quit your blog, I love it! You are a very creative writer.You will find your passion.
ReplyDeleteI love that you are showing your daughters that there are a LOT of opportunities out there....and to dream, be creative. What you do everyday - raising three future independent amazing women - is the most important thing any of us can be doing.
ReplyDeleteI hate that I just get up everyday and go to a desk job in corporate America. I admire those that take risk and try new adventures!
Please don't stop writing....I look forward to your new posts!
I am not sure what you are going to be next, but I do know that I enjoyed reading this post and I love your enthusiasm (plus I have a basement full of stuff just like this - scrapbooking, sewing, crocheting, cross stitch stuff). Trying new things is fun :-)
ReplyDeleteI love this post! Thank you so much for sharing with all of us. I feel way better knowing I'm not the only one that does this from time to time.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get that camera!
xo, Jody
This sounds oddly familiar! Love your positive spin on what I think of as my scattered ventures. I clearly need to think differently!! AFter all, you're right: a great example for the kids in doing what you want to do, being who you want to be. Thanks!! :)
ReplyDeleteI think if I was a SAHM I'd HAVE to create some sort of idea/job/business or I would go crazy!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with future endeavors...and getting that camera :)
Visiting from RDC
If you are a creative soul, then the best thing for you is to keep creating!
ReplyDeleteI love this because I can be all over the place, too. You make me feel better :) Besides, how are we gonna find out what we love if we don't try new things?
ReplyDeleteYou so many gifts! It sounds like you have had fun exploring them.
ReplyDeleteI love the necklace! It seems that all your endeavors have been somewhat successful, I can't wait to see what you try next!
ReplyDeleteHi, I'm pretty sure I'm your long lost twin. Or maybe you just invaded my body and took over my life. You described me perfectly.
ReplyDelete"So why couldn’t I purchase a couple of thousand dollars in beads and start a jewelry business?" Hilarious! This is so me. I started making jewelry a few months ago. Took some pictures, put them on facebook, decided I need a new $1,000 camera, bought it, set up an Etsy account, but never actually put my jewelry up for sale.
P.S. love your necklace