It's been forever...

It's been absolutely forever since I've written anything on my blog. Decided I need to post again, and on a more regular bases.

Like many moms, sometimes I feel like all I do is work and no play. Just recently I've met a special person in my life. Not someone I thought I would be with, but through a mutual friend we have become   really good friends. It's gotten a bit more serious which scares me a bit. But with everything good, comes change and I think that is what scares me the most. Change.

Being a single mom, you have more challenges. Balancing the work, kids, boyfriend and where is the time to do my painting? No where right now but, as I get older I find that the kids take care of themselves more, they don't need mom as much. Part of growing up.

Just recently I was approached by two emails that proposed job opportunities. I'm very excited but also nervous about the change and falling on my face. This is a career change and really important move for me. I want a career not just a job. Right not the job that I have is nice, but no room for moving up.

The two jobs presented to me there is a chance to have a career and more of a life with my family and the new man in my life. Excited? Yes. Scared - oh yeah!

My goal: to have more of a career where I work hard during the week, but able to enjoy life on the weekend. I want to get back to painting and start up the "ARTwalk" in Harrisburg, maybe offer Sat. classes  to middle school or special groups. Still dreaming of that "Purple Barn" - yep. Still think about it.

We as I sign off todays blog. Think about the change you are going through and how you are handling it. Are you giving it to God? I know I have to, I can't make the decision on my own. I want to know that I'm going in the direction the Lord wants me to take. So where one door closes there will always be another that opens. And I have to remind myself everyday - God has the plan, not me. He knows what is good for me whether I agree or not.

Blessings-
Teresa

Out With The Old, 

In With The New Attitude!

       Well here we are coming up to another year...wow, where did 2012 go? It seems like a blur to me especially. With a lot of change going on in my life both negative and yet positive. I try so hard to refocus on what is important. Yes, my kids are important but they are more independent which is good...well kind of, the boys still need a kick start ever so often, but for the most part, just letting them know I am there is the most important thing I can do for them. 

       In 2011,  I started back to work full-time at a custom shirt company. It's been a difficult year to say the least. Made ok money at first, but then when I was on my own and dealing with 1/2 the debt. I soon realized that that job I had was not cutting it. I've been in search for another higher paying job since then or a second job...all I can say Im glad I have a job at all. The search has been insane. Bogus interviews, commission only, no benefit (thank you already have that), too much experience, not enough experience. Creates a fear in me about my children's future. 

      On top of it all I miss the ARTwalks, mingling with other artists to get those creative juices flowing again. My energy level has been slim and nap. That is about it anymore. Injuries make it even more difficult to get my enthusiasm back. In short, hurt my ankle in a mud run, didn't allow enough time to heal properly went to my back and been dealing with pain for three months solid. This is a very excuse for me to become an alcoholic...but I won't. Think of the children, Teresa, think of the children...oh wait it's that 19 year old that drove you to drink when she was in high school. Ok Teresa, you can do this, you can be strong. It's in you.

     Oh - and don't even get me started on dating at my age. I'd rather stick a hot poker in my eyeball than to deal with the morons out there. Note to self: " No more good men in Charlotte - go find gay sugar daddy". Yep you read it right. Come on think about it. He'd make a great friend AND i'd have someone going to all the art shows and wine tasting I wanted...true friends til the end. 

     All in all - I have to start this new year with a new attitude. I want my kids to be happy (and they are - it's just the mother in us) and yes, I would like to be happy. But the only way that is going to happen, is to be determined that working hard will end up paying off...yes, you might be dead, but think of the role model you will be. (I am being very sarcastic right now if you don't know me). 

I need to find that one thing (beside chocolate) that can create that drive in me again? I do know one thing that has kept me together this long. And it's the TRUTH people: "With Christ, ALL Things Are Possible" - Amen.

More Fun Than You Can Imagine!

(samples of a student's painting, they never painting before. Amazing!)

The Painting Parties last between 2 hrs. and 3 hrs. depending on which price you paid. For $25/person you get 2 hrs. for $35/person you get 3 hrs. Each individual is set up with their own canvas, table easel, paints, brushes, cup of water (to wash out your paints/brushes) paper towels, apron so you don't get paint on your self, and for $10 extra I can bring in an extra table. I bring in a finished painting but you have a blank canvas where I will show you step by step directions on how to begin, fill in, shade and highlight your painting. HONESTLY - you don't need to know how to paint. Just be flexible, forgiving and fun! It's just paint. And the whole idea is to go outside of your comfort zone and enjoy yourself! That's it!

The best part...instead of going to a studio...I COME TO YOUR HOUSE! Invite your neighbors, friends, family.

You provide the appetizers and drinks - I provide the tools, instruction and entertainment! Most classes are provided in the evening on Friday nights, but I do have openings on Monday and Wednesday nights. You can start the painting party as early as 5:00 or as late as 7:00. Best times are 6:00-8:00 p.m./6:30-8:30 p.m.


If the request come more and more to have a party in the morning, then we will provide that for you. Right now Saturday & Sundays are reserved for family and we appreciate your understanding. But again if the need gets greater I will be looking into offering the parties on Saturday morning.

"Corks & Brushes" Booking Calendar!

ARTwalk coming up next weekend! Save the Date: August 5th!

God has truly blessed me...

I can not believe how busy I have gotten since we got back from our cruise. I've been really paniced about bills and money. One going to college and two going into braces. Yikes! All of a sudden I have three huge murals going on and two really major design/marketing jobs going on, PLUS I'm trying to get an interview for a graphic design job. WOW! Can I possibly take on anymore? Probably....You see, I'm a JESUS Freak! That's right. I LOVE being busy. And God knows it. Yes, I'm tired. But the Lord has been so good to me - getting me all this work.
I was telling a friend of one of my clients today. I probably don't charge enough for my murals and I know I donate a lot of my services as a designer away too often, but IF I don't feel that I'm being taken advantage of, this is not mine to charge..this is God's gift to me. He has blessed me with beautiful children and a good roof over my head. My marriage has had it's challenges...but I do have a husband that has provided us with MORE than what we need. Yes I would love to have a 9-5 job and not all the little jobs that sometimes take up more time than what kind of pay I receive and YES the Lord wants me to be smart about my gift...everything I do is a life lesson. I have been doing more in marketing than I ever thought I would do. PLUS I've been asked to do some painting parties. YEAH!!!! Those are fun. An adventure that I would love to make more full-time if possible. Here are some of the projects I've been working on. If you like what you see - please pass my name onto anyone that you think would need my services. I'm always eager to take on new challenges and new clients. I love painting murals, I love designing logos and I love that God has given me this gift.

God Is Good!

July is here already? Summer? What Summer?

I know I feel like I'm repeating myself but wow this summer is flying by. Just got back from the Bahamas with my kids and wow...how awesome was that. I feel so blessed to be able to have had the chance to do this with my kids. They loved it! Alos, I'm actually swamped with major work. Not big buckes, but keeping busy. A couple murals and logo developments going on.And who would have thought I would be doing so much marketing. Although I don't have a degree in marketing I truly feel that with my experience with all the fundraising I've done and community projects I've got going on...yeah, I'm a great marketing/PR person. I LOVE people (for the most part) HA. But I do especially the hard working small business people - trying so hard to make a better life for themselves and for the their family. I met a new business owner this week. Gigi is her nickname and she has to be the most beautiful woman I've had the pleasure of meeting ever! She is originally from Egypt which I think is soooooo coooool. Those that have such a culture is so fasinating and I feel so fortunate to meeting and learn from. What an experience and opportunity. As I told Gigi..."Life is short - live it to the fullest" I NEVER want to look back and say, boy I wish I would have met her. OR I wish I would have talked to them or moved on that opportunity. So I fall on my face...I'll do it many more times in my life and so what. I tried. I made the jump and I at least can say...I took the chance...DID YOU?