Me: Age 16- I often got asked:
“What do you want to study when you go to college? ” An Interior Designer was the answer…. Side eyes….from mom…
Mom: ” Don’t you think you should do something more practical?” Me: “Like what?” Mom: “Take Math, English, Science?” Me: “I guess.”
Me: Age 17- Wondering what it’s like to go in the Air Force? Do they have Interior Design there? I went to see a recruiter…that was all she wrote.
Mom: ” So you’re not going to go to Southern Illinois University?” Me: “No, it’s not practical.”
Me: Age 24- Forgot all about the interior design thing, went back to school, got a degree in Speech Communications, something practical, oh and easy for me to get through college wise. Got a job as a supervisor at the cable company. Now married, small baby and in the Air Force Reserves, itching to make something. Saw a chenille bear that someone else got as a gift, scouted out the store that sold the chenille, couldn’t find it, made a madame teddy bear instead. Sold it as soon as I saw it. Had orders for 7 more bears the next day. Hmmm… might be on to something.
Mom: ” Bears? Strumpet bears at that?” Watch that baby, she’s chewing on those ribbons. ”
- “Strumpet Bear”
“Strumpet Bear”
Me: Age 25- Someone asks ” Can you make a bear inside a basket?” Me: “No, I’ve never done that, but I guess I could?” My friend suggested that I just make baskets. The next thing I knew, baskets for everything, nice ones, naughty ones, Easter ones, Mother’s Day, baskets and more baskets.
Mom-: Baskets? Me: Yeah, baskets.
Me: Age 28- ” I think I want to go to nursing school. Mom: ” That sounds GREAT!!!” Me: Naaaaa. I already have a degree. Mom: “Sigh.”
Me: Age 30- ” Making decorative floral brooms for my team for gifts. ” Mom’ That’s nice baby.” Took one of the brooms to Martha’s Crib and she asked me if I wanted to consign them. I agreed, and so I was making lots of brooms, gold brooms, blue brooms, fancy brooms,etc. My friend Lois said: Oh my I have such great ideas for you… she insisted that I make something for her her. I did and I named them after her. The owner of Martha’s Cribs told me: I need you to make me an arrangement. Me: “I can’t. ” Her: “Why Not?” Me: I’ve NEVER done that… a bear, basket and a broom is one thing, but an arrangement?” But I put my best foot forward. I made her a swag instead cause it was like a broom anyway. Showed to the gals at the job: Offer for a home party and 200.00 in orders for floral pieces.
Mom: “What are you doing?” Me: ” I got to go to the floral supply store and fill these flower orders!” Mom: “Flowers? ” Me: “Yes, I have 2 more parties booked and I have to make all these arrangements. I took pictures of the things and I had designed this full fledged home party floral design system, until I think a few cancelled on the party. Mom: Oh My I just REALIZED… she looked at me strangely. Me: “What? ”
Mom: “This is a form of that Interior Design” Me: This? Mom: “Yes”, you are really an interior designer and it keeps coming out!. That’s what you really wanted to do, and I kept telling you to be practical, and you keep expressing it some way.” Me: “I don’t think so Ma.”
Me: Age 31- “I think I want to go to nursing school, but I was looking at the catalog and those classes are held during the day, I can’t work and do that Mom. Mom: “Go ahead, when you get there, I’ll help you.”
Me: Age 32- ” I’m not going to nursing school, it’s too much going to work and thinking of that, besides, I already have a decent job and education. I’m tired of school I told her. Mom: “Sigh.”
Me: Age 32- ” I can’t believe my mom is not here with me anymore.” No crafting
Me: Age 33- Still in the Air Force Reserves 16 years, new job, new life, crazy life full of grief, sorrow. No crafting…
Me: Age 34- Layoff of new job, life still crazy, father died…. Opened up finally: Voila… a gift shop selling, baskets, bears, dolls, and other things. Every day off to the shop in total bliss, eating ice cream with my daughter. Mom would love this. Hustling was a joy, craft shows, beauty shops, now this is the life. New baby on the way…. a little too soon, had to close the store down, stay on complete bed rest for the rest of the pregnancy.
Me: Age 35- I’m going to nursing school. New baby, no crafting…
Me: Age 36- Telephone: Sgt is that you? Me: It’s Me…Telephone: I need to read you a statement: “You are hereby ordered to active duty to serve in Operation Enduring Freedom. Me: Silence. Telephone: “Sgt? I’ll see you in 72 hours.Crafts? Really?
Me: Age 39- Passed NCLEX Boards- Packed up crafts and moved to Georgia. I’m sure they craft in Georgia? Making new things, dolls from aluminum foil…. Me: Age 44- Back to School- Not enough credentials in job- Put crafts down. Retired from Air Force 22 years was enough for me.
Me: Age 45- Back to School Again- Maybe I should teach nursing- Crafts down.
Me: Enough is enough, tomorrow is not promised…. time to get back to crafting…. BACK INTO THE PASSION SWING…. who is going to help me clean that ridiculous craft room out?
ReJeana's Place 