We made the plans for all our economies, we have the goal that it is supposed to help us achieve. And now it is clear that a plan on paper can do nothing to express how mentally tough it will be.
All of our time as roommates, Melina and I have made decisions that were not necessarily the norm. Our priorities? Self-reliance, creativity, power over where we will get to live. While our friends have been out doing other things, we have been working our asses off to get to the point where we are creatively free and independent.
Now, we are close. Now, we are to the point where everything is coming together—but it means a final push of epic proportions. Economizing to get rid of debts and accumulate savings. It all sounds doable, and then my princess-self remembers it means taking the bus every day. I loathe the bus. And it means finding innovative ways to make ends meet. Coupon queens, here we come!
The results will be worth it, I know this. But we need to stay focussed on the end goal. And what is our motto for the coming year?
No looking back!
Way too much time has been spent thinking about the ways in which 2013 sucked. Time to move on, move forward without looking back. So the question becomes, what will have change by NYE 2014? I have some thoughts.
1 - We will be 'financially better off' (clue as to where we work). All fallout of the Grand Insurance Debacle of 2013 will be a distant memory. YES!
2 - My novel will have been self-published. That simple fact will make it a successful venture. I just can't predict beyond that. Too scary.
3 - Melina will have spent a great year getting back into painting. She's really amazing at it and I can't wait for everyone to see what she can do. I am so excited by this!! She will even have a site set up.
4 - I will have a draft finished of a second novel. That's right, I said it!!!
5 - We will be so totally strong and healthy. Amazon-strong!
Bottom line is that we will be way closer to the ultimate goals we talk about in the site - independent lives living in the Valley in a great house. Writing / painting and crafting full time.
This is our year people! Stand back.
~ Denise
We all have ups and downs. Good times, bad times, blah blah blah. Well, trust me when I say that 2013 was firmly ensconced in the 'low' category. Death, taxes, insurance debacles leading to abject poverty. You name it, we probably dealt with it. But here's the thing - I would like to think about the bright spots that made the year tolerable.
So here goes.
My novel! I finished and went through the editing process and it was amazing. I learned as much as I had hoped and then some. I got publishing advice and finally came to the decision that self-publishing is the direction I want to go. It will be hard, but I know it is the right thing for me.
And the other thing that came out of the editing process and my discussion of it with those around me is that I learned exactly how much support I have for the project. When you are doing something creative you become accustomed to people thinking you are a bit of a flake. I was amazed with the outpouring of support I received when people realized I was serious! Amazed and incredibly grateful.
The
shop was also a bright spot this year. Our sales more than doubled! We have so many fantastic things planned and are excited beyond words for the year to come. Melina has become such a wonderful sewer (is that a word?) that the sky is the limit when it comes to ideas. Trust me, things are about to be shaken up.
Finally, the best thing that happened this year. When you hit bottom you find out who the people are that have your back, and we are surrounded by an AMAZING group of family and friends. Someday we hope to be able to repay them for everything they have done for us. And we will. I know it!
2014, you sexy bitch. You will be our year!
~ Denise
It's weird, how time truly flies. At the same time, it seems like I've been doing what I've been doing all my life.
It's been five years since Denise and I opened our
Etsy shop, and we are celebrating with a 15% off all regular priced items sale (coupon code 'anniversary'). I can't believe it's been that long, and it feels like it should have always been there. Props must be given at this point, if it wasn't for our good friend Kerry, we aren't sure we would have considered Etsy at all. She has the store,
Effiehandmade. Thank Kerry. You are a gem.
I think it was 4 years ago I bought my beautiful Viking emerald 115 sewing machine. It is a trooper, poor thing. Also, I love now making all the patterns and product designs. Denise gives me ideas and has her input in my pattern/designs too.
Denise is a writer, but I've loved seeing her use her obvious visual artistry skills and watch her confidence grow. She never makes anything less than fab.
Pleased to say that our store has continuously gotten busier. We will keep adding new products. And keep working harder to make our shop more successful.
Hmmm, I wonder were we will be in 10 years?
-Melina. :D
When we started the shop it was with the sole purpose of making money to help us reach our goals. Melina loves sewing and I love jewellery so it seemed like a worthwhile effort. It has helped more then we ever thought it could have and taught us tons of things that we will use in other areas of our lives. For instance, in the midst of a zombie apocalypse, chainmail armour will be at a premium. And a knitting needle roll doubles nicely as container for a weapons kit.
There are other things we have learned since starting the shop that some would argue are more important. I will say they might be of more immediate concern, but not MORE important than zombies. Nothing is more important than zombies.
I am now conscious of the importance of buying handmade. People complain all the time about box stores taking over, the alternative is the wave of handmade items available at the click of a mouse. Let's face it, there is no avoiding shopping at the corporate giants entirely, but I feel great when I buy a gift from a crafter or artist. Maybe in my small way I am contributing to a shift in the world towards supporting the little guy. Wouldn't that be a great world to live in?
In the meantime, I will continue to to plan my zombie strategy.
I had to go a few days without my laptop because the adapter was fried. A few days - no big deal, right? Hells yeah it was a big deal! I felt downright Amish! OK, I did have modern plumbing, but you get the idea. Now that I have back I am a blogging, Tweeting, Etsy-working fool!
I had my computer back in time for the Witchy New Year of Samhain. People often ask what we do that is different than most people's celebration of Halloween. It is always one of the best nights of the year. This year we worked our goals into a brand new ceremony / spell that we will work until next Samhain to help us with our goals.
Let's start with the beginning of our night. This is consistent from year to year. We always take out photos of loved ones who have passed and arrange them in a nice display. Yes, we include our pets in these photos. They are family. Samhain is a time to remember those that have passed on and tradition is to set a place at the table for them. We don't have a lot of space here, so me make do with one place and consider that all of loved ones get along enough to share. lol! It sounds sad, but it really isn't. It is an amazing thing to feel close to the spirits of those who have gone before us.
This year we did a few other things. The past year has been ... challenging. We wanted to focus on positive change and on what we will have happen in the coming year.
We carved spell candles marking our intentions for the year. Melina made a lovely beeswax candle for the season with appropriate herbs and oils, again, for the coming year's intentions. The truly new thing was our spell jar. We cut out strips of paper and wrote one of our intentions for the coming year on each one. We added appropriate herbs to the jar. This will be used throughout the year in our workings.
It was a wonderful night. Today truly feels fresh and new and wonderful.
~Denise
As we are struggling and managing to bounce back from the insurance drama, we are especially grateful for happy moments along the way. We had a big one a few weeks ago with a wonderful family wedding. My sister Donna got married!!!
Donna and Jean
Honestly, their story is a bit redonkulous. They have been friends since high school and after many years of close friendship, Donna being married and having two beautiful daughters, they found their way to each other. And to quote Donna directly, "I married the man who makes my heart smile".
It was a small ceremony at a beautiful restaurant here in Halifax. Very posh. AND they made us yummy vegan food, which was a plus. Melina and I sat next to a wonderful couple who lived in the UK at one point, so we talked British TV all night. Delightful.
And living a few hours away from home and not owning a car, it is rare that all five sisters and my parents can get together. It was such a wonderful blessing to be able to spend time with all of them. Diane was so thoughtful and bought Donna a bouquet which she didn't know she wanted. Darlene wore this blue dress and looked SLAMMIN'. Seriously, she looked awesome. We may all be slightly jelly, and I speak for myself here.
We got to spend a little extra time with my sister, Debbie and her husband David. Growing up they were a little like my second parents. They took me on amazing camping trips every summer and these are some of my very best memories. Melina has grown to love them as much as I do. Any time spent with them is extra special.
It was especially wonderful to see my parents. The look on my dad's face brought tears to my eyes as he was thrilled to see Donna blissful. My mother was glowing with joy at seeing her daughter so happy. Beautiful.
The other night we drank the wine that was the wedding favour. It was a particular vintage put out in homage of my people, the Acadians. Or as Melina put it, "It is the wine of pain and suffering?". lol Well, it was yummy! And it was so nice to remember such a beautiful day.
~ Denise
