Life Of LeisureWow! It's been eons since my last post. Okay, maybe not eons, but close. Where does the time go? February was last week, wasn't it? Scary, this getting older thing and the way time zips by like a dragonfly on speed. The getting older part isn't bad. It's just the time thing that bothers me. Too much left to do. Good thing I plan on living until I'm 102. Since I just turned 44 yesterday, I've still got a long way to go.
So what's been going on over the past month? A lot. Big changes at the store. We've started our own publication called ACCESS. Considering there isn't much in the way of being able to advertise locally, it made sense to take matters into our own hands. Granted, it's going to be a huge, and sometimes frustrating, undertaking to put together each month but I think it's well worth the effort in the long run. Unfortunately, this is only our second month and it's too soon to gauge it's effectiveness. The response from people who have seen it has been positive and that's encouraging.
So far, both issues have taken far longer to get ready and to the printer than they should have. Both times there have been deadline issues, program issues, file issues and such. I know it's going to take awhile to really get the kinks out and have it be relatively easy to do monthly in a timely manner. That's the nature of graphics, printing, advertising, distribution, etc. I hate to say it, but it brings back bad memories of my days in the graphics industry and I'm not much likin' that part. But like I said, it's our best shot at getting the advertising we need to keep the store moving forward and the doors open.
Other changes are happening at the store as well. Some associates are gone, some hanging on, and some will probably go by the wayside before long. That's okay. Those who want to be there will be there and make use of the space available to them. Kind of like weeding the garden so the flowers have a better chance to grow and flourish. I'm disappointed about some of them not working out as I had hoped. Unfortunately, you can't make someone take advantage of a good opportunity, nor can you force them to do anything they aren't ready or willing to do. You just have to move on to the next thing and forget what didn't work out. I try to think of it as a positive thing (weeding) and believe the store will be the better for it.
Work in the studio has been painfully slow, almost non-existent. Although I've sneaked an hour here and there I haven't made much progress on the work-in-progress. It's really frustrating, wanting to paint and not having time ... or having a little time and not wanting to do it. To be perfectly honest, the painting isn't going like I want and I'm disgusted with it. I can't figure out what to do or where to go with it. Like having a flat tire, dead on the side of the road and no spare in the trunk. Do you wait for a ride or start walking?
I won't lie, I dread the thought setting it aside and starting on a new piece, but that's what I may have to do. Maybe I could try doing it smaller? The large canvas feels overwhelming given the amount of time I'm able to get in there and paint. I just don't know. Stew on it for awhile longer I suppose. But, I do have a few photos to add to the Wet Brush page on the website. Hopefully I'll get them posted in the next few days.
The quit smoking - hypnosis thing didn't work out after all. The therapist remembered another appointment she'd scheduled prior to scheduling mine and it kind of left me hanging. I'd gotten myself all worked up for that day and poof! No-go. Considering that she'd felt that I was going to be a "challenge" and had to do extra research in order to work with me, the difficulties we'd had with scheduling in the first place, and a couple of other issues, when I got her email about the prior appointment my confidence level in the process went straight down the tubes. I'm extremely disappointed and don't think, knowing how I am, that I could get it back very easily now.
I guess it means I'm going to have to figure a way to just do it on my own, even if I have a melt-down in the process. (
I'm not sure if I'm kidding about that!) I do know if I chose to seek out a different hypnotherapist I'll have to find one with years of experience under their belt. Thing is, I just don't feel all excited about it like I did. My bubble got burst. I'm actually feeling rather sincerely crappy and sad about it. I felt like I'd found a viable source of help and the rug got pulled out from under me. But I'm not giving up on quitting! As I said, I just have to figure out a way to do it by myself. Wish me luck.
Got Tuck fixed. Knocked in neutral. Nipped & tucked. Poor fella'. Surprisingly, you wouldn't think anything was out of the ordinary with the way he's been ka-zingin' around the house ever since he got back home. One would be inclined to believe he's been smoking the catnip on the sly. Either that or he's happy as Hell to have come away from the vet's office alive, if not totally intact. At least it's over and done and he won't start doing that male cat thing of pissing all over the house to mark his territory. Folks, if you've ever had a boy cat markin' up the house, you make damn sure it isn't likely to happen again with any new boy cat you get. Pee-ew!
Well, sorry to end on a pissy note, but hey, I'm tired and I've still got lots of stuff to do before bedtime. But then, maybe I'll go to bed and get up early instead.
Hmmmmm .......Namaste, y'all ...
