Last year around this time I toyed with the idea of not creating the custom house ornaments, but ultimately did create about a dozen. This year is different. While the home life is still disruptive, I have also developed carpal tunnel in both hands. I also feel overwhelmingly that it is time to shift my creative focus elsewhere.
I have drawn over 120 coloring pages for my mom so far. Various themes. Now, I am going to self publish coloring books through Amazon. There are several platforms to do this online. Also, I have lined up an editor for my children’s book stories. Two written so far. I would like to publish one in time for Christmas of this year. The 2nd written piece is a Christmas story that will be published next year. I saw the new Kindle Vella platform on Amazon and thought that would make a good spring board for prequels of the children’s book series: short books introducing the main characters. Maybe in black and white; the books being in color will bring those characters to life.
Setting up a passive income stream would be great for me at this time. I am still being pulled in many directions, but now I hired people to help me and my mom. I let go 2 aides in the last few months. The recent one that I let go was a bully to both of us. For over 6 months! I thought she was good for my mom so I put up with it. Apparently, not so much. The aide underestimated me….that happens often. Well, things are looking up.
The renovation on the rental is almost done. I enjoyed reworking that space. Picking out the new light fixtures, laminate countertops for the kitchen with new champagne bronze hardware for the dark brown cabinets. New light oak vinyl flooring. It looks really nice with breaking the bank.
I thought about putting in a gas fireplace insert at the rental, but what most likely will happen is that I will shelve that idea for now. More $ for tree cutting occurring on both properties went up and I feel I need to curtail the spending all around.
Yes, I am going back to what I enjoy the most: drawing and painting. And a new found interest in sewing-mostly with the machine.
A getaway? Yes, I finally was able to go on a mini vacation of 2 nights away in Germantown, NY. Right across the Hudson River. Farmland, horse farms. Very nice. Great rolling hills. Views of the Catskill Mountains and the river, too It was there I was able to rest, read, and think about ending one art form and starting another adventure. To learn new things.