When A.J. and I bought our house, the market was still up
and we had all sorts of ideas in mind and figured by this point, four years
later we would have a big chunk of equity in the house and would have added on
to create our dream home. Instead we now
have three more kids(I was pregnant with Jimmy when we moved here) and due to
the mass quantity of stuff that comes with children, a lot less space. But aside from this dream home, I had visions
of the art studio of my dreams built in our back yard or built above our dream
home’s garage. Our neighborhood is an
older neighborhood that is zoned in such a way that you can have a business out
of your house. So my grand plans for my “someday
studio” are basically a large light-filled room with lots of windows, cozy worn
wood floors, tons of funky cabinets and shelves to hold supplies, a vast amount
of artist supplies, a sturdy table to work at with chairs and stools as well as
some drafting tables and easels, and a large utility sink. The style that I always envision offering
classes here would be a sort of open studio fashion where people could come in
and work on whatever their whim was that day.
And overall I want this studio to be somewhat special and different in
that I want to combine my passion for art with my love for working with people
and children who have or are affected by medical illnesses. Not strict art therapy per say, but just to
provide people with a place to escape using art. I even have a name in mind for this studio,
but that is something I am keeping to myself for now. Of course the luxury of having this studio on
our property would be that I could also use it for my own artwork. Someday…
For the
time being my great plans are on hold or just in a very early- on, semi-related
phase to the ultimate goal. I have been
teaching art classes to different groups- some to homeschooled children and
also an afterschool program at an elementary school. I also had been doing fill in work as a Child
Life Specialist which I just recently temporarily retired from. I thought I was scaling back on work over the
past few months since Bart’s arrival and was down to teaching only one class a week. Well now through word of mouth
recommendations, I am starting to teach a second class and am now going to
teach a couple mini art camps during spring break and over the summer out of my
house. The camps had been a thought
rolling around in my head, but literally came into being just this morning.
A woman
looking for an art class for her daughter was referred to me by one of the moms
of a girl I currently teach. We emailed
back and forth and discussed the possibilities of either private lessons or
classes at my house. So we set up a time
to meet this morning. Not a big deal
except for the typical stumbling blocks that like to jump in my way. I decided to forego my mass cleaning
yesterday afternoon in exchange for a trip to the playground with all 4 kids
and some of Josie’s friends and their parents and siblings. I decided I could always clean some last
night and then in the morning. Smart
decision based on this gorgeous weather we are having. Complete fail when A.J. got home from work
and told me that he had an early meeting downtown and I would have to take
Josie to school. There goes an hour of
cleaning. I am working on my Lenten
resolutions of being on time and also having patience with my children. Well the on time part worked out- Josie got
to school with plenty of time to spare.
However, I was freaking out running around like a maniac with the boys
once we got home for the hour and half before this woman and her younger
daughter were coming to meet me. As
usual stupid thoughts popped into my head while I was rushing to give the main
floor of the house a once over cleaning.
I discovered the toilet seat is falling apart- literally seems like the
lid is only staying connected to the seat by one bolt. Not enough time to go buy one, please do not
have to use my bathroom, lady! Cleaning
the kitchen, look at the dog dishes that are both sparkling clean and
empty. Our dog was still at my parents’
place from when we went away last weekend until I picked her up tonight. Will this woman think I am starving my
dog? Manage to get the main areas
looking decent with five minutes to spare.
Look at the counter in the kitchen and realize that Sawyer has left a
nice sticky film over it from his yogurt and whatever else he consumed. Simultaneously realize that I can not
remember the name of this woman’s daughter, the one I am supposed to be
teaching. I have never been the best
with names, but since having kids of my own, it has gotten even worse. Quick decision to make- clean counter or go
look up kid’s name on my emails. Thank
goodness she was running a couple minutes late and I accomplished both
tasks.
The Interview: Woman arrives with her younger
daughter(younger sister of the girl I will be teaching). The woman is very nice and understanding of
the fact that while we meet, I end up having to breastfeed Bart, prevent Sawyer
from leaping off one of the barstools and inflicting an injury upon himself,
reprimand Jimmy who is making scary faces and animal noises at her two year old
daughter, and all the while try to sell myself as an awesome art teacher not
just a harried mom. College just doesn’t
prepare you for these situations!
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