It's official! Garage sale season in Michigan has finally opened and I made my first score this morning:>) Nothing really big, just a fun little cigar box to alter, some cottagey iron hanging basket holders for the porch and 7 big teardrop shaped chandelier crystals for 5 cents each! I tied 5 of them on the dining room Chandy and the morning sunshine makes rainbows on the wall. Thirty five cents worth of spring happiness, not bad.On another subject I learned something about myself while working at my third job. I wasn't cut out for office work. It's fine as long as I have something to do, but it didn't take me long to get the filing done and make coffee and take care of all the little office tasks they gave me, about 30 minutes most days. Then I just sat there waiting for the phone to ring. It drove me mad. There were times I walked to the door and opened it just to get a breath of fresh air. I felt like I couldn't breathe. Seriously. All I could think of was all the things I could be doing at home. I will tell you a little secret, I love being a stay at home wife and mom. The only career I can really enjoy is one I do all on my own and have complete control of. Maybe I'm a control freak, ok, I am for sure a control freak! I can only say how thankful I am to have a husband who has been the breadwinner all these years, and who appreciates my efforts at home. I know Earl and the girls are much happier when I am home. I have always considered it my career and I am so happy to see the pendulum swinging the other way in society and so many other women embracing this life. In a world where people are defined by what they do for a living and how much money they make, I can finally say, I don't care what the Joneses are doing, I am content in my little cottage, with my used cars and my thrifted furnishings. I am happy with 35 cents worth of rainbows dancing on my dining room walls. Our family is happy and blessed. I know that I want to see where my etsy shop takes me. I am thrilled with the response I have gotten and filled with ideas to try. i have the summer off and plan to see where this home business takes me. All I know is, I don't want to be cooped up in another office. I can do it if I have to, but, Lord, I sure don't want to. How about you, what do you really want to be doing?
Oh, I'm right there with you! I can function well in an office and did for many years. But I really love the chaplain work I'm doing in care centers and senior adult communities. I love being pretty much my own 'boss' and being able to flex when life hands challenges or opportunities to me. I look back and can't believe how many years I was at the 'beck and call' of an office job.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're back where you belong. Your chandy is gorgeous and the crystal pieces add such a special touch.
Welcome back,
~Adrienne~
Oh yes, I do understand where you are coming from! You do such lovely work and you are so creative with what you do. I am wishing you all the best that you will have all the success you desire! :-) Rosie
ReplyDeletep.s. I love those crystals! What a deal!
That lamp looks wonderful; love those big teardrop!
ReplyDeletepd: The house in the roses is having a dessert carnival… come and participate. It promises to be FANTASTIC!!!
Cielo
How I wish I knew what I really want to do...and how to make a living at it. I know of things I enjoy, but at this point, with no children, it doesn't make sense for me to stay at home and I would feel guilty taking a job that earned significantly less than my husband's. Or maybe I feel like its not fair for me to take a job doing something I really enjoy if it pays so much less while my husband feels like he has to keep a certain job because of the paycheck (He is in a great position right now with a job that is interesting and challenging and that pays well). I am only in my 4th year of work after graduating college, so I see this as dues-paying time to build up savings etc. before figuring out what it is I would really like to do. I have no doubts I will find my bliss someday!
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time I have been to your blog and I usually lurk for a while before posting a comment, but your post was so inspiring I had to pipe up! Blessed is the home with a wife and mother who delights herself in making it the best home for her family's sake!
Hi Kathy!!
ReplyDeleteYeay! I'm so happy for you that your other job is over because I am hackering' for some more of your wonderful creations! Love the chandy crystals! What a steal!! Ireally want to be doind exactly what I am doing.. staying at home, where my children need me!
Have a fabulous weekend!
xoxo~
abbie
First - great garage sale find - your chandy looks beautiful- I also like those gingham bows!
ReplyDeleteI don't know what I want to do. I've always enjoyed being a SAHM sometimes homeschooling mom. I've been thinking about it more and more because my daughter will be graduating from HS in two years and this financial crisis with my husband losing his job has been an eye opener. I'm thinking of going back to school this fall - just haven't decided on what to take :-)
Manuela
What a lovely find, your Chan. looks so pretty!
ReplyDeleteIf I could do anything it would be to buy and sell vintage clothing in a quaint little shop. I just adore the lines, the colors, and the tailoring on well made vintage pieces.
Oh Kathy you said it all.
ReplyDeleteLove the chandy drops
Alison
Oh if only I could....garage sale, flea market, revamp my finds and live happily ever after. I love my daycare and the $ and right offs are too good to pass up. I have a mortgage, a car payment, a freshman in college and bills!!! But someday....I just want to be able to have my Pawsh Poodle Boutique and surround myself with wonderful old things.
ReplyDeleteI have always loved being at home, too, Kathy....I didn't go to work until my youngest was in high school, then, I QUIT work when the first grandchild was born! My calling is HOME!!
ReplyDeleteyOUR chandy is beautiful and with the crystals now, it really shines! I just love your use of little black and white checked ribbons scattered around. You and I have such a bond thru our loving black and white!
I just got home from a movie...THE BUCKET LIST.....have u seen it?
hugs, bj
I hear ya Kathy! I worked for 25 years in the advertising business for newspapers and magazines. I was lucky in that I spent most of my days out traveling the roads calling on advertisiers. But I have had receptionist and secretarial jobs where I had to be in an office for 8 hours a day. Didn't like it at all!
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for you that you are now able to spend more time creating your wonderful pieces for your etsy shop!
Hugs,
Penny
I love your finds. The light is just beautiful!what a way to start the season.
ReplyDeleteI just wanna stay home more so I can work on mine,
Morning Kathy! I am having my 100th post giveaway. Drop in and see what it is all about!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Barbara
Kathy, I feel exactly the same way, I have loved being at home and taking care of my family. I worked in Manhattan for many years on Wall Street. Although it was totally exciting, I always felt unfulfilled. Until I married and had my girls. No matter where we have lived, and what chapter we were in, I wake up feeling fulfilled every day. Recently, I have contemplated going back to work in an office. But just like you, I don't know if I can, I need to find something I can do from my home. I love when you wrote "I am happy with 35 cents worth of rainbows dancing on my dining room walls." Perhaps you should write, Kathy.
ReplyDeleteWell, I stopped by to give you an award, which is over at my place today. But I got so caught up in your words, as always, that I nearly forgot. Please stop by and take your award home.
Blessings, Karen
YAY! What awesome finds Kathy! I LOVE the chandy prisms! They look so pretty on your chandelier!
ReplyDeleteI feel EXACTLY the same way as you about staying home Kathy! Sometimes I feel so guilty, I think WHY do I get to stay home like thi?? I am so glad you are free of that job and can stay home now :) I hope you enjoy this beautiful day we have here today! I know you will :)
Love ya,
Amy
It sounds as if you have your priorities in perfect order, and you are so blessed to be able to stay at home. I know what a blessing you are to your family.
ReplyDeleteI love your new sparkle.
I love being home and I would shrivel up and die if I had to work in an office all day! I feel so blessed to have a husband who likes to have me at home and had no expectations that I would go to work after the kids were gone. There are never enough hours in the day to do all the projects I have in my head!
ReplyDeleteWhat I really want to be doing is designing and making quilts and I do get to do that a lot.
I just know your home busines is going to be very successful. You are a very talented creative gal.
Hugs
Rhondi
Kathy, that is exactly why i love my crystal so much. When the sun comes in the window there are rainbows everywhere. I am so glad you are enjoying a rare sunny day in MI. I am so spoiled here. LAS
ReplyDeleteHi Kathy!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I agree 110% that being a wife and mother is the best jobs in the world! I was able to work part time most of the time when my children were young and that was the best for me, and now that I was able to retire early I feel very blessed. I am caring for my 86 year old Mom quite a bit rhese days, but luckily she's still pretty agile and able to do a lot on her own, and hopefully I'll be a grandparent soon! Life is good and family comes first.
Love the candy crystals! What a wonderful find!
Hugs, Pat
Oh I agree big time. Jobs are awful! I'd much rather do without things I don't really need (new clothes) and find bargains on the things I do (vintage wallpaper and old furniture to fix up)!
ReplyDeleteWhat a thought provoking post! I'll be thinking about this all weekend.
ReplyDeleteM
Hi Kathy. I was lucky enough to be able to stay home for 7 yrs. with my boys. It was a gift. I couldn't work in an office either. But my mom did for many years and really enjoyed it! I have been an elem. tchr. for 24+ years, and I enjoy my classroom and the kids, so I am fortunate to have found my niche.
ReplyDeleteHappy Saturday!
I would be a professional putterer but so far I can't find out how to make a proper living at it. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteLovely finds!
Hi Kathy,
ReplyDeleteYAY for yard sales!!!!!
we hit our first yard sale in Marlette, thursday on the way home from downstate!
It was so exciteing!
I bought a stack of vintage sheet music, rhinestone earrings and a few vintage boxs!
FUN FUN FUN!!!!
Love the pretty crystals!
Hugz, Dolly
I'm with ya. I worked in an office for many years and was (shhhh) miserable. I didn't know what to do with myself and definitely thought about being home all day long.
ReplyDeleteI love being at home running my own business. :-) Happy happy happy life.
xoxoxo
Blessings,
Melissa
I agree with you completely! I quit my career-job when my kids were very little because I wanted to be the one to raise them. I went back to a part-time job in a home dec fabric store (right up my alley) when my youngest started to drive, but had to quit last year when I broke an ankle. Since then I've been working on my own little business, like you, and I love it! I'm very blessed to be able to do so. I like being home - there's always some project or other going on! ::Jill
ReplyDeleteI am so there with you dear heart. I think you could do so very well on etsy!! You go for that!
ReplyDeleteI too love being a stay at home Mom.
It is where I was meant to be I think.
But I also want to do something with my photos. Maybe sell them on etsy or something like that. I don't know if anyone would want them but I could always try. I won't know until I try right??
My little bird has a happy new home and I thank you so much!
Love,
Sue