Jo will go to the craft store.
I was kinda bummed about this upcoming weekend. Sure I had loads to be thankful for– Obama officially is President. My firm won two new clients (which is a huge woo-hoo in this economy). And I sold my thirteen item on Ebay. But, for the first time in a long time– this weekend wouldn’t involve Ryan. He and the new golf clubs I got him for his birthday headed to Florida for a 24/7 golfing getaway.
And before you even begin to think what a lame, dependent girlfriend I am–I totally want and love when Ryan does things without me. It’s healthy for us to have lives outside one another. But for some reason it was harder to say goodbye this time. I am so used to seeing his smiling sideburns every day, and I look forward to our weekends together. It just felt a little lonely– but–I wouldn’t dare make him feel guilty for going.So I put on my best smile and wished him a fabulous “man” weekend.
So what did I do?
I got the car washed. Went out to dinner with some lady friends. And thought about me.
This may seem like an odd statement, but I can get so wrapped up in the to-dos, work, commitments, errands, ect that I sometimes get lost in the shuffle. I asked myself what can I do that will make me happy? I’ve always found relaxation and comfort in being creative– writing a poem or painting or designing. I love creating.
And when I was home visiting my Mom this weekend, I sorted through some old clothes and memorabilia– initially trying to find additional items I could sell on Ebay. And lo and behold I came across some of my old poems from my creative writing class in college. It was one of the best surprises of the weekend — I literally shrieked with excitement because I was convinced the poems were gone. I thought I accidentally deleted them from my old computer. I read them aloud– as if I was standing in front of my creative class once again. And it felt oddly inspiring and a tad liberating. (I included some of my favorite ones below and my professors’ critique because sometimes it’s okay to show-off. And I love making my Mamma proud).
Poems in hand. And one call later from Ryan that he hit his best hole to date. I ventured to the craft store.
The craft store can be a little how-do-I-put-it-nicely– weird. There’s a unique collection of people all immersed in their various crafts– sewers, jewelery makers, cake decorators, scrapbookers, painters, faux-flower arrangers, and many other unthinkable, unimaginable crafters. It was a little daunting strolling up and down the aisles– looking for something creative to jump out at me. I had some ideas, but not the idea. And an hour later after debating whether or not to get some adhesive pearls– I was inspired by a hole-punch.
Being a stationary feign, I decided I would make– drum roll please– my very own one-of-a-kind note card (hey it’s the little things in life that get me excited). And it was then I had this eureka moment– what makes me happy?
I knew when I mentioned the idea to my best friend Maura– she would instantly say yes. She is one of my creativity’s biggest advocates. I am now officially the wedding invitation designer for her nuptials in August.
I am nervously excited– and more than ready to cultivate some fresh, elegant, and affordable ideas. Bring it on.
Ryan comes home tomorrow night. And although I didn’t get to fill him in entirely of my own creative getaway– it’s when he said he was so happy for me and couldn’t wait to hear all about it that reminded me–
I am the luckiest girl in the world.
a note card I made (hopefully the first of many)– I swear it looks more attractive than this scan.
Poems:
A Never Winning Greed
Words for You
teacher’s critique...
*don’t be alarmed about the poem “my death.” It was an odd, criptic asssignemnt.
