New Directions

No, this is not a blog about Glee.  I could probably do that, but now is not the time.  My new directions are phenomenally different, mostly because I can't carry a tune.  For as much as I love music, I was cursed with the inability to master and instrument and a horrible singing voice.  The world played a cruel joke on me.

My new directions are moving towards writing.  Since I lost my job, I have been trying to figure out ways to make money from home, I simply don't have the patience to deal with people.  I need a job where I can work on my own time, and do things my own way.  A very good friend of mine pointed me towards a site that helps freelance writers find work.  So far, I've done fairly well there.  Nothing that will get me rich overnight, but I at least feel like I'm helping with family finances.  I don't make near as much as I would working at a menial, minimum wage job......yet.  I am learning new skills and building a reputation. For the most part, my clients are thrilled with my thorough research, writing skills, and quick turn around. The big plus is that I can work when I want, within reason, and have the ability to be here at home when my kids are sick, or participate in school functions with them.  I have missed way to many school parties because "I had to work".  I'm done with all of that.

It has been hard starting out, mostly because the holidays are upon us, and I am making little money, but I feel confident that as I learn new skills and hone my writing, I'll pick up bigger jobs and make better money.  I also am learning to do a few crafty things that I may be able to sell in the future to help.  Most of all, I am doing something I enjoy, which is a nice change.

I have decided to try my hand at writing a book.  I don't know how it will go, I tend to do better with the more non-fiction things I can research.  I love to focus on details and I feel this will make any fiction attempt of mine far to slow, as far as reading goes.  I'm not sure though.  I have been developing these wonderful characters in my head for some time, but have been loathe to lay them out on paper.  That ended last night. I wrote the first 3 chapters for some of my favorite characters. I'b beginning to realize that choosing my favorites to write about first might be a mistake, because I don't thing there is a plausible way to turn there story into a serial, and I don't know if I will be satisfied with my first attempt enough to have "wasted" my favorites.

I do, however, really fucking like them, so I'm going for it.  I've got a couple of beta readers lined up to help me tweak the flow and movement of the story, as well as read along for errors in spelling and punctuation.  I have been researching how to self publish, in case I ever get to that point.  All in all, I have been working hard.  I had never dreamed of writing for a living, but sometimes your dreams never do become a reality, but your reality can become the stuff of dreams

Crafty things

Tonight I am embarking on yet another adventure of epic proportions.  You see I have this room. At first it was basically a catch all for the crap I couldnt find a place for when we moved into our house. Then it became a guest room of sorts. A nice bed in there, a closet, dresser, perfect for the visitors we so rarely have.
Next, I adopted a dog that had to be quarantined from my other dogs, so it became "Betties room" while she overcame her infection and went through her heartworm treatment. Needless to say, she was bored. She ate the bed. Yes, thats right, ate the bed (and about 100 dollars worth of DVD's).
When we were finally able to spring Bettie from the backroom, it became a "foster room" for our foster kitte s who also had to be quarantined, and were not quite dog ready.
Finally, the kittens have gone to adoptions and I have big ideas for the room. I fully intent to turn it into an idea center/craft room. Im going to set up a sewing table, shelves for stuff, jars fkr beads, a computer work center, etc...seriously huge plans.  Today I started the journey by cleaning up after the kitte s (which in itself is a BIG job. Little cats make huge messes!)  
My next step is to refurbish the old dresser my brother left me into a usable storage/work table. I intend to paint it and make a few modifications. Next ia organization and a bit of moving and shuffling of things. Im really hoping to have it up and running by the end of the year. Or better yet, mostly finished by then. Even my husband is helping chip in ideas. I think he sees the possibilities the same as I do. It will be a good space to work. So here, attached, are a few pictures of the very humble beginnings of my craft room and the dresser in its original form.