Trying

from here.

I was talking to a friend in the grocery store last week.  We were discussing our respective divorces and all that comes with that territory.  He said something to the effect of "Well, I guess now you can get more stuff done."  To which I quipped back "I have no choice.  I have to totally rely on myself now." 

It was a tiny little exchange in an otherwise heavy conversation, but those few words brought on a realization that was bigger than everything else that had been running through my head for the past nine months.  I am responsible for my own life. 

In the past, my decisions about everything revolved around the fact that I was married.  I did not call the shots.  What my future looked like was not in my hands.  I was not a co-star.  I was simply a supporting actress.  This was a fact that afforded me to be quite lazy in my endeavors.  But now I have no leading actor to take the spotlight while I waste time and twiddle my thumbs in the corner.  He walked off stage and here I stand with everyone watching and asking "What's she gonna do now?" 

I can't be lazy anymore.  I can't hide behind someone else's hopes and dreams.  I can't just give up and let the tide of life carry me where it may.  I have a life to live.  I have bills to pay.  I have goals and ambitions (believe it or not).  I have a future to build.  And I have to give it my all, because I'm depending on me.  It's trying times, and I must say, finally...........it's time for trying.  

Thinking About....goals and ambitions.

The past few months, my mind has been focused on what the hell I'm gonna do for an income. As most of you know, I quit my job at an auto body repair shop over a year ago. I had dreams of putting all my time and effort into my Etsy shop and, hopefully, seeing it flourish like all these other shops seem to do. But that hasn't happened. And I'm having to fall back and rethink my goals once again.

You see, the hubs and I are planning on building a house this year. The plan is drawn and the pricing is being figured. I hadn't mentioned it before because I don't like to jump the gun. I didn't want to get excited about it and then it not happen. But now that we are on the verge of getting the loan, I am panicking. I had been making a little bit of money here and there painting houses, but not enough to feel like I was contributing to our income. And, so, now I am faced with the thought of having to get another job.

I probably don't have to tell you just how much that thought drains all of the joy right out of my soul. I have never been happier than I am being able to stay at home. While other people dream of high profile jobs, making tons of money, I dream of being the artist that I was born to be. But Lord knows I have a tiny little problem with making things happen.

So, for the first time in my life, I have set some goals. And a time limit. (gasp!) I have until May to get some painting done, photograph it, weed out all the crap in my store, put together a somewhat cohesive collection, and totally re-vamp my Miz. November store. And then........well, who knows? But that is what I have so far. I have some things to discuss with you in the coming weeks, so I hope you are willing to give me your opinions and words of advice. It's now or never, people. And I hope I have your support in trying to make my dreams come true.

This is only the beginning. Maybe.




*those awesome earrings that I am wearing up there are from Tribal Style. Don't they look bad ass?

The New Thing.

Remember when I told you that I ordered new business cards and I promised that I would show them to you? Well, I did. And I'm here to do just that. Brand spanking new Miz. November business cards.......


I searched thousands of business cards online. Several websites. I looked at layouts until my eyes started to drift together. I finally ordered from Zazzle and I have to say that I absolutely love them. Zazzle was super quick and very affordable. I know we all wish we could have letterpress business cards, but let's face it, they cost more than I can fork over.

So, why did I order new cards, you ask? Being that I have a very unreliable amount of business in my Etsy shop? And, honestly, it seems like a futile attempt?

Well. Because I am trying a different route. It may take me a few months to get things together (it always takes longer than it should), but Miz. November is changing courses a bit. I don't want to make any promises, but I am planning on adding a generous amount of artwork to the mix. And I am narrowing down the other items to try to create a certain cohesive "look". I am trying to get rid of my current stock by placing them in a few stores. I already have several pieces in a shop in Asheville at the moment. I am going to try to not be all over the board, like I usually am. Instead, I am going to stick with a few of my favorite patterns and try to make the best products I possibly can. Do fewer things, but do them better. Get my drift?

I plan on narrowing my goals down and getting serious about accomplishing some things. So I will share those goals with you when they become more clear and you can help keep me accountable. Doesn't that sound fun!? Haha. (Just go with it.) ;)

Hugs and Sunshine
~Jo~

Words of Wisdom....

As I have said before, I have never been one to set goals. I make lists. I never set actual goals. But at this point in my life, I have come to realize that I should be setting some higher standards for myself. I have always believed that creative inspiration is like a divine blessing that you have to wait for patiently and then pounce upon when it shows itself. But after years of waiting and pouncing, I have decided that in order to get anything accomplished, I am going to have to create my own opportunities. It is time to set some goals.


I have been listening to B.o.B. and Eminem's song, Airplanes, over and over lately. {I do this until I can sing all the words. It's insanity, I know.} Anyway. The last lines of the song really sunk in deep. It's interesting that some of the best advice in life comes from rappers. If you haven't heard the song, go search it.

Em is talking about what would have happened if he had never reached for his dreams. He starts by saying
"Let's pretend Marshall Mathers never picked up a pen.
Let's pretend things would have been no different.
Pretend he procrastinated, had no motivation.
Pretend he just made excuses that were so paper thin,
they could blow away with the wind........."

And he wraps it up with:
"He never risked shit.
He hoped and he wished it,
but it didn't fall in his lap so he ain't even here."


So on this Friday, at the end of yet another week, I am working up a clearer definition of who and what I want my life to be. What do I want to accomplish in the long run? What do I need to do in order to get there? This time I am tired of making excuses and waiting for some divine motivation. God gave me the talent. It's my job to make something of it.

Let's get to the job of creating ourselves. What do you say?


*awesome quote from Slumber Designs.