Things I Love Thursday

I love my life this summer.

Have you ever seen the TV show Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt?  We watched all the episodes earlier in the year.  It's a comedy by Tina Fey.  It's about a Kimmy - a woman who joined a doomsday cult in the 80s where she live in a bunker with a few others, believing the world had ended.  As it turns out, life went on and things have changed a lot (language, technology, fashion).  After 15 years, these 'mole women' were discovered, rescued, and there goes Kimmy, living life in New York.  She has so much spunk and enthusiasm as she adjusts to the modern world, and being social again.  She's quite stuck in the 80's and her naive enthusiasm is quite funny.

And she smiles.  A lot.  Really BIG.

Why am writing a writing about this?  Well, it's about my life.  I used to work as a crisis counsellor for about ten years.  I was people-people-people, go-go-go, work work work, never home.  Then I had kids.  (Can you hear those career-brakes squeal?  errrrrrrrrrrch!)  For 15+ years, I have been full time mom, working at home to make ends meet, and evolving into a full time artist.  I never quit working (as a mom - do I really have to explain that one!??  no...)  Prior to becoming a fibre artist, I ran a dayhome for a number of years.  I worked some social work contracts that required at-home / online research.  I've homeschooled some of my children as needed for several years.  I have even worked for Greyhound Transportation - again, from home.  I've been busy, busy - but all at home.

 I have to tell how liberating and enjoyable it is to be part of Handmade House.  I feel so fortunate! I feel like a mole woman!   As I drove to work for my first shift - I realized this was that first time in 15 years I have 'left the house to go out to work'.  When my shift was over, I literally skipped down Broadway with a stupid grin on my face, smiling, talking to strangers, feeling SO GOOD!  Then it hit me - omg I feel like Kimmy!  I feel like, 'Hello World, I'm STILL HERE and YOU are beautiful!'  lol  I tried to force myself to stop smiling but I couldn't!  I was so embarassed when I realized I was channeling Kimmy for the moment.

me, last summer as a featured artist

I told my story to a few friends at a birthday party last week.  A couple of them totally cracked up.  They knew the show and the character.  A couple others were quietly shaking their heads and and comment, 'oh my - you really must get out more.'  haha  Sometimes, it's the little things in life that make a world of difference.

The best thing about being a member of Handmade House is that the shifts are so short, it really takes no time away from my life as an artist.  That's just perfect for me.  And on a more serious note, it's quite humbling to be part of an artisan's collective that has been around for decades.  I feel very honored about that.

So there's my story - thanks to Handmade House for adding some spunk to my mundane life.  lol  It's shaping up to be a pretty fine summer.